Surviving A Mass Shooting

What to do if You're Unarmed?

- Pat McNamara

As a law-abiding citizen and a trained gun handler, I, like you, am obligated to carry wherever the law permits. It’s my duty to protect and serve. It’s my duty to protect myself and my loved ones — and to serve my community. And, at the end of the day, you are your own first responder.

But let’s suppose you’re not carrying when sh*t goes south. How do you survive a mass shooting? Whether it be an ISIS fanatic or a lunatic with too many prescription meds flowing through his bloodstream, what steps can we take to avoid becoming a victim?

I travel nearly every weekend to various states. My concealed carry permit gives me reciprocity in 36 states. But, when I’m in the Dark Blue States, I follow the law and don’t carry. And, I’m conscious of it wherever I travel. Your everyday Larry Lunchmeat and Joe Bag O’Doughnuts doesn’t think about safeguarding himself or his loved ones until he has to. Those of us who carry everywhere are way more cognizant than when we’re not. But we can’t carry in schools, banks, bars, courts, and airports. And we can’t count on the likes of a TSA agent to save the day when sh*t hits the fan.

There’s no simple serum solution to this quandary. One’s attitude, aptitude, desire, level of training, situational awareness, wits, and moxy may steer the scenario in different directions. We have to rely on our wits and default to our best level of training.

Move, Move, Move

A common denominator, however, is mobility. Hunkering down and praying not to die (or hoping to get lucky) aren’t viable options — unless dumb luck is your solution to survival. It’s easy for a nutcase to kill someone execution-style when your head is between your legs in the fetal position.