AST Digital Magazine October 2017 Digital-Oct | Page 64

Volume 17 The combative engagement of an active shooter is a last option and has to be taken with the utmost conviction. This is your last chance at survival you have to make it count. Truth to be told, if you are a trained individual and armed with impromptu weaponry, your odds still remain slim if you engage an armed gunman by yourself. Surprise and extreme force are key. October 2017 Edition your life and find out you don’t know how to fight. All too many people today as well as agency and corporate management feel we are in our secure facility; we have a written shooter plan, armed guards, police, state of the art security systems etc. In 2014 two Pennsylvania State Troopers were ambushed in front of their barracks by Eric Frein. (Courtesy of TomoNews US and YouTube. Posted on Sep 18, 2014) • If you are by yourself, you must control the at- tacker’s firearm and direct it away from your- self while continuing attacking him or her • The use of blunted and or edged weapons to vital areas such as the eyes, throat, groin, knees etc., are crucial if the attacker is wear- ing some form of body armor • If a number of individuals swarm the shooter, someone must take control of the firearm and direct it away from the group • Note: during the struggle the weapon may discharge; keep control of it and keep fighting. • This makes the strong case for receiving some form of reality based self defense in- struction that teaches the use of fists, elbows, knee and leg strikes, grappling and the usage of modern weapons (i.e., firearms). You don’t want to get into the fight of This assault claimed the life of Cpl. Bryon Dick- son and seriously injuries Trooper Alex Doug- lass. In 2009 and 2014 active shooters (military per- sonnel Major Nidal Hasan and Army Specialist Ivan Lopez) who, in separate incidents launched attacks on the grounds of Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Hard targets and soft targets are all the same 64