We know the world is a violent place; people cause more than any other thing on earth. Mankind hurts and kills each other by the thousands every year. You and I understand that personal protection is an individual responsibility; it’s up to you to save you and yours. Recent events have reinforced these facts. And, being someone who prepares, your probability of survival – whether it’s through avoidance/escape or force - is high. However, we also need to consider that it’s not our job to save the world, and before you get involved in a violent situation there are three things you need to consider: Do you know the details? Are you going to contribute to solving the problem? Is this worth risking your life?
Do you know the details? In a lot of confrontations, especially those that don’t directly involve you, it’s difficult to separate the good actors from the bad ones. Without knowing the specifics, you can’t and shouldn’t intervene. Plus, if it doesn’t directly affect you and yours the best option is going to be avoidance/escape and notifying the authorities. Avoidance/escape are first; you never know when what seems like an isolated, focused event may bleed over into your “safe” zone. Before becoming entangled in a violent situation ask yourself, “Do I know for sure, regardless of who is doing what, who the good guys and bad guys are?”
Are you going to contribute to solving the problem, or make it more complicated for those who need to be resolving the situation? You hear gunshots echoing somewhere in the large warehouse store, followed by screaming and yelling. You and eleven other concealed carrying law abiding citizens draw weapons and start searching aisles for the source of trouble.
At some point law enforcement officers will arrive on scene. Everyone with a weapon – you and all the other good guys – is going to be considered a threat. The only thing you’ve done is make it more difficult for the professionals to sort things out. Again, unless you’re positive you’re going to influence the outcome, or the threat is directly attacking, avoidance/escape and/or finding a location that’s easily defended is your best option.
Is this worth risking your life? Anytime you get involved in a violent exchange you’re risking serious injury or death. At my age the list of things I’m willing to risk my life for is extremely short. I’m certainly not getting into something over an insult, no matter what they say. What you’re thinking is going to be a verbal exchange turns into a knife attack. I’m not willing to die, or be forced to use my weapon against someone over some piece of property they’re trying to steal. Any of that can be easily replaced. The only reason I’m going to get involved is when it’s absolutely necessary, and in defense against serious bodily harm, injury or death.
There are enormous responsibilities associated with owning/carrying a firearm for defensive use. You go out of your way to be polite with everyone, no matter how big a jerk they are. And, before becoming involved in a violent situation you ask, “Do I know the details? Am I going to contribute to solving the problem? Is this worth risking my life?” If this is the case, then you commit to solving the problem, as efficiently as possible.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.