lemaymiami
Member
I wasn't shocked this morning at the news out of Los Vegas... saddened - but not shocked. When I turned 18 (all the back in 1966...) the term "active shooter" wasn't in use - but that would change, wish it weren't so...
During a career in law enforcement I was forced to learn everything I could about all of the possible shooting situations I (or later my officers...) might encounter and over the years came to the conclusion that tactics and strategy were far more important than whatever weaponry you might have at hand (or want to have...) if you wanted a good chance at survival. That's why I'm posting this since most aren't aware of some special considerations involving an elevated shooter (whether it's one carefully aimed shot at a time by a trained sniper - or someone with automatic weapons covering a killing ground with a large crowd under the gun...). In short our first instincts betray us if we go to cover since an elevated shooter can still see over whatever vehicle or wall you attempt to hide behind.... The lesson was thoroughly taught by the book Street Survival (still my bible although probably long out of print - and certainly dated...).
They spent some effort showing just how vulnerable you are to an elevated shooter with clear photos of the actual scene of the "Texas tower shooter" as it happened years ago showing the actual disposition of officers that later died exactly where they were, while hiding behind vehicles (from news photos taken as the incident occurred showing some of the responders that died that day)... To show it, they had photos from the actual shooting position on top of that building that the shooter used after the fact.... Each photo showed that although behind good cover - the victim's head and shoulders were clearly visible to the shooter...
In short as soon as you realize it's an elevated shooter (and if you're under the gun you simply may not be able to determine where the shots are coming from) your first actions need to be going to cover that's above you - not in front of you... all in the ongoing chaos of an "active shooter" situation. I have nothing but praise for all of the folks that risked their lives to save others (both the trained responders and ordinary citizens putting it all on the line under fire) but we need to also consider how best to train for such incidents ( that incident in Dallas comes to mind) so that our side can deal with this sort of action, and minimize the damage done.
I'm long out of police work but know that every police agency (and quite a few civilian trainers) will look at this incident and make their plans and strategies to deal with this new (actually old) threat - the elevated shooter - who has all the advantages at first....
During a career in law enforcement I was forced to learn everything I could about all of the possible shooting situations I (or later my officers...) might encounter and over the years came to the conclusion that tactics and strategy were far more important than whatever weaponry you might have at hand (or want to have...) if you wanted a good chance at survival. That's why I'm posting this since most aren't aware of some special considerations involving an elevated shooter (whether it's one carefully aimed shot at a time by a trained sniper - or someone with automatic weapons covering a killing ground with a large crowd under the gun...). In short our first instincts betray us if we go to cover since an elevated shooter can still see over whatever vehicle or wall you attempt to hide behind.... The lesson was thoroughly taught by the book Street Survival (still my bible although probably long out of print - and certainly dated...).
They spent some effort showing just how vulnerable you are to an elevated shooter with clear photos of the actual scene of the "Texas tower shooter" as it happened years ago showing the actual disposition of officers that later died exactly where they were, while hiding behind vehicles (from news photos taken as the incident occurred showing some of the responders that died that day)... To show it, they had photos from the actual shooting position on top of that building that the shooter used after the fact.... Each photo showed that although behind good cover - the victim's head and shoulders were clearly visible to the shooter...
In short as soon as you realize it's an elevated shooter (and if you're under the gun you simply may not be able to determine where the shots are coming from) your first actions need to be going to cover that's above you - not in front of you... all in the ongoing chaos of an "active shooter" situation. I have nothing but praise for all of the folks that risked their lives to save others (both the trained responders and ordinary citizens putting it all on the line under fire) but we need to also consider how best to train for such incidents ( that incident in Dallas comes to mind) so that our side can deal with this sort of action, and minimize the damage done.
I'm long out of police work but know that every police agency (and quite a few civilian trainers) will look at this incident and make their plans and strategies to deal with this new (actually old) threat - the elevated shooter - who has all the advantages at first....