Why we train for the worst....

[Derek_Connor]

There you are, running on the treadmill, benching, squatting, whatever in your local gym.

Lights GO OFF, shots ring out. You see muzzle flashes, people screaming..

The shit gets real.

How prepared are you? Would you be able to draw your CCW, effectively find cover, or even consider return fire from an awkward position or behind cover in the approriate amount of time?

Some people in my inner circle even look at me with that "eye of paranoia" that I have a 1911 or an M&P w/a weaponlight mounted with me at all times.

I just saw this article when I got back from the gym this morning...

Scary shit gentleman, especially when it hits home for us regular folk.

[rob_s]

Well, I don't go to the gym, and prefer to work out at home, but...

It's been all over the TV news this morning. You actually hit on my first thought which was "I don't guess many people carry at the gym".

In this particular case it sounds like you were either dead or hit in the initial attack, or you weren't. Sounds like the guy popped his girl, hit a bunch of others, and then took himself out. Frankly I don't think there would have been time to do anything at all in this case. Very different from the VA Tech thing in that regard, and brings up the question of how to avoid becoming collateral damage from one of these nuts, because there is no real chance to fight back.

[Derek_Connor]

Well, I don't go to the gym, and prefer to work out at home, but...

It's been all over the TV news this morning. You actually hit on my first thought which was "I don't guess many people carry at the gym".

i dont carry on my person, i just have a "bag" that i keep water/notebook/log etc in thats discreet, and rotate w/me between workouts.

Ive practiced drawing under stress. Im not good at it, yet. Even as preparred as I am...i doubt I could have reacted quickly enough to do anything effective..

But all the shooting ive done lately from shitty positions, barricades, etc...starts to make sense.

[Gutshot John]

Luck plays a huge part in all of this.

One girl is being interviewed on TV who was in the room. When the lights went out and she heard the shots she got out through a door on the other side of the room. The shooter didn't even notice her. Apparently he was NOT using a weaponlight.

[rob_s]

GJ, you bring up a good point, which is to be aware of your surroundings. How much you want to bet at least a few of those that were hurt/killed had no idea that there even was a second door? Reminds me of that scene from the first Damon Bourne movie where he's telling the girl how he's already assessed everyone in the restaurant and the parking lot outside. Not sure I'm quite that good, but I at least look for who I think might be carrying, where the exits are, and which fatbodies would make good cover in a Luby's Cafeteria situation.

I think that's the lesson here, is that not only do you need to know how to fight, you need to have the situational awareness should the proper response to a situation turn out to be flight instead.

[ROSS4712]

No shit, I hadn't heard of that story but had always thought it a possibilty for someone to come in the gym and start shooting.

I always carry my G21SF w/X300 in my gym bag locked in my locker (gym won't allow bags on the gym floor). But I just work out and don't run at the gym I run on the road when I get home so I wear regular baggy shorts and carry a M&P 340PD in .357 Mag in an inside the pocket holster.

Well now I don't feel like some paranoid "something could happen anywhere at anytime" gun nut!

[Gutshot John]

I'd also say that this points to the need to go well beyond firearms training.

I wouldn't call anyone paranoid who carries CCW legally everywhere he goes, but it's not the only tool in the shed. There will eventually be a place where you can't carry. I'm not sure I want to carry when going to a public gym.

I think I'm going to start focusing on HTH/Blade skills.

[ROSS4712]

I think that's the lesson here, is that not only do you need to know how to fight, you need to have the situational awareness should the proper response to a situation turn out to be flight instead.

Definitely true! You better have your head on a swivel 24/7 and be aware at all times.

My wife thinks I am a little over cautious saometimes but theses days taking you family to the mall can get you killed if your not paying attention. She's a CHL carrier and I make her take note of all the entrances and exits. I also tell her to run and get clear don't engage unless you are directly targeted or could be targeted.

Its funny that normal people (sheep) don't even think of these things when they go out in society today. I am a cop and see a lot of what the human race does to its own kind. I believe there is evil around every corner in this country and you better be planning to deal with it when it comes around!

[ROSS4712]

Paul Howe is a great guy and a lot of us on our Swat Team know him personally and train with him regularly.

Paul once said to me, "Eveytime you leave your home are you prepared to deal with a deadly force encounter?"

Ever since then I tell myself that regardless where I am or what I'm going to do.

There have been a few times when I'm just going to the cleaners or red box and almost run our the door with out my M&P. That statement he said rings in my head everytime and I make sure I'm strapped.

[RogerinTPA]

The first thing I do when I go into any establishment is to ID where all the exits are and where the exits are, in relation to where I am in that establishment, then size up the folks most likely to cause some shit, and keep them in my scan. In this instance, the female that booked out of the back door, had the most situational awareness and presence of mind. On that note, I normally keep my gun in my car during gym sessions, but Derek raised a good point to keep it in your gym bag next to you. I may just permanently keep a .380 auto, light and a couple of mags in the outer pocket of my gym bag, for piece of mind.