Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Ron Borsch. Ron’s bio is at the end of this article.
The November 5th 2009 Ft. Hood TX rapid mass murder incident, as tragic as it was, should have some resultant positive ripple effects. The extended coverage time in the media commanded public attention toward two important areas that were previously not made public enough:
- KILLER EMPOWERMENT ZONES© (“KEZ”)
- RANDOM ACTOR THREATS
Killer Empowerment Zones
“Killer Empowerment Zones”© are more commonly known as “Gun-Free” zones by the “Reality-Challenged”. The Utopian intent of course, is a delusion that the law, or warning signs at a public facility will be sufficient to protect the public. The otherwise perfectly legal concealed weapon civilians are disarmed and rendered as defenseless as everyone else. While this Utopian theory has no validated tracking history of success, it certainly has a documented record of failure. Even as we concede that the Utopians may deserve an “A” for their good intentions, they certainly have earned an “”F” as in FATAL for ACTUAL results.
KMZ: Unintended Consequences are Fatal
The consequence of disarming the law-abiding public is the creation of a zone that is perfectly designed for the health, welfare and safety of the mass murderer. He is virtually guaranteed that a law-abiding public will have no realistic ability to protect themselves or others. The active killer has been given a cart-blanche opportunity to decide who and how many die, almost as if he wrote the law supporting gun free zones himself. These zones are very attractive to him!
All the multiple victim public shootings in the U.S. – in which more than three people have been killed – have all occurred in places where concealed handguns have been banned. Professor John Lott Jr.
Scholar and researcher John Lott Jr. has revealed his finding that “allowing individuals to defend themselves dramatically reduces the rates of multiple victim public shootings. Even if attacks still occur, having civilians with permitted concealed handguns limits the damage. A major factor in determining how many people are harmed by these killers is the amount of time that elapses between when the attack starts and someone is able to arrive on the scene with a gun”.
John Lott Jr. has delivered some solid heads-up research. In his book More Guns, Less Crime
Random Actor Threats
At SEALE Academy in Bedford Ohio, we have specialized in tactically training 1st responders since the year 2000. Our research and statistics have been published on multiple prestigious law enforcement Internet sites. We are generally only looking at RAPID, (under 20 minutes), MASS MURDER, (4 or more intentionally killed in the same event and location), in public places such as schools and workplaces. We have found that while others may have been involved with the ACTIVE KILLER, (One who commits rapid mass murder), these cowards act alone 98 % of the time.
Our records indicate that the with the recent assassination of the four Lakewood WA police officers; the Ft. Hood massacre, and the mass murder at Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City Utah (2007), are at least three known fundamentalist Muslim incidents of rapid mass murder in the USA. In all of these hate crime incidents, the cowards typically documented mass murder as a religious event by exclaiming “Allah Ackbar” repeatedly as they murdered. While the military can and should require officers and senior non-commissioned officers in uniform on post to bear arms, we are not likely to see this occur soon. Uniformed police officers, be aware!
Growing and numerous other “Sudden Jihad Syndrome” hate crimes by “random” actors are documented as using the very same “play-book”. Some involved shootings others were intentional motor vehicle run-downs of multiple innocent pedestrians in the name of their god, (most of these did not amount to our rapid mass murder definition).
Arming Some Teachers Makes Sense
Recently, I learned that my state allows administrators, teachers and others, (volunteer parents?), to be armed if they have written permission from the school board. Not all teachers will want to, and those that want to need to go through a vetting process. As a beginning, all should first go through a state approved Concealed Carry program, available to all law-abiding citizens. Next, involve local law enforcement agencies, especially enlightened firearms instructors to assist with administering a mandatory state approved firearms qualification course.
Finally, the firearm instructors should introduce them to tightly scripted winnable scenarios using economical AirSoft or more expensive, (and messy) marking cartridge pistols. Once the instructors get a feel for their audience, advanced training should include “Re-booting” their OODA Loops, (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), with “Hooded Drill” scenario’s.
Anyone who seriously studies the rapid mass murder problem will invariably discover:
Bold, rapid and aggressive action, by even a solo actor, has been and is now the most effective countermeasure to the active killer.
About the author: Ron Borsch
Ron Borsch is a semi-retired police officer, manager and lead trainer for SEALE Regional Police Training Academy in Bedford OH. His formal training in simulation design, RedMan and law enforcement combatives has been through Gary Klugiewicz ACMi©, Bob Willis, Larry Nadeau and Kathy Wright. Ron is also a staff instructor for the Kent State Martial Arts Club.
Related posts:
- The Ultimate Test of a Warrior: Seattle Police Officer Confronts the Lakewood Officers Killer Maurice Clemmons, the Lakewood Officers Killer, is dead today because...
- Solo Officer Entry For Active Shooters: Ron Borsch Q&A Part 1 Ron Borsch (bio at end of article) is the leading...
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Tough to argue with any of these points. When all the signs are missed and the active killing begins, not many other viable options other than to stop the threat with deadly force.
Fred
This article is a good description of how gun control laws often impact the wrong people. Too many citizens rely on the police to protect them. Having been a cop for over 20 years, I can say with certainty that this is a fatal mistake. We most often show up after the fact. We investigate the crime after it has occurred.
When violent crimes are committed, there are usually only the victim(s) and suspect on the scene. The intended victim has the power and legal authority to protect themselves with whatever means are needed. I only wish more people would truly understand that fact.
John i agree with your comemnts 100%. We just had an incident here in Massachusetts where an off duty security officer carying a firearm stopped a murder in progress (An inprogress stabbing of a doctor). Hegot mostly support and as cleared in the shooting BUT what was the Attorney Generals response when asked about his actions “WE DON”T ENCOURAGE SELF-HELP” Our people in power to make change had better open their eyes to the realties of violence and as Ron states above “Bold, rapid and aggressive action, by even a solo actor, has been and is now the most effective countermeasure to the active killer.”
Fred