We make plans for everything. We make dinner plans, plans for work projects, and plans for vacations. That’s because we know that buying a pile of lumber won’t give us a new garage; we need a plan to fulfill our needs. Too often, people who are concerned about their personal and family safety buy a gun and think that is all they must do to be safe. Unfortunately, just owning a gun is not enough. Even training alone is not enough. To be as prepared as we possibly can, we need a plan.

What Are We Planning For?

The list of life-threatening risks in society seems to keep growing and growing. A few decades ago, it was primarily getting mugged on the street, being in a business when it was robbed, or attacked by a vicious dog. Other things did happen, like the 1966 University of Texas Tower shooting that ended up killing 18 people, but they were rare events. These days, along with robberies, we also have active shooters, carjackers, home invasions, and violent demonstrations and riots to worry about. Our responses to each of these threats are both similar and different from each other.

How Do You Prepare for the Unexpected?

The fact that there are so many variations in the kinds of situations we may be confronted with means that we, as armed citizens, need to think ahead and play the “What if?” game with ourselves and our families if we expect to be prepared for whatever comes. Like training in the military, the key is to imagine the various scenarios you could be faced with, and decide on the best response. Granted, variables change, and things do not always appear to be how they seem to be, so the ideal response may not be possible in every situation, but it still pays to make a plan ahead of time. Being prepared reduces the shock factor that leaves people standing frozen like a deer in headlights and speeds up response time, which is critical. Having a plan also reduces confusion, which is especially important in a group situation such as being out with your family.

What Would You Do If?

In each situation, think about the scenario and develop a basic plan before encountering the event in the real world. You may have to adjust your plan to fit the circumstances, but at least you will have a plan to adapt from. Think of it as a tactical response quiz, but as you go through each scenario, consider the legal and moral considerations.

Angry Customer at the Fast-Food Restaurant

Dissatisfied customers at fast food restaurants are not unusual, but in the past few years, many of them have gone over the edge to attack and even shoot an employee. You and your family are eating at one of the tables when you hear yelling and a commotion at the counter as someone produces a firearm. What do you do?

1. Draw your gun and attempt to intervene.
2. Hustle your family out the door and then come back to intervene.
3. Hustle your family out the door and call 911.
4. Watch and see how the situation develops.

How would your answer change if you were not with your family?

Carjacker in the Parking Lot

You just put your groceries in the back and are climbing into the driver’s seat when a man holding a gun shoves you aside and points the gun at you, demanding your keys. You did not want the paint dinged on your car, so you parked in an area of the lot without many vehicles around you. What do you do?

1. Attempt to grapple with him to get the gun away from him.
2. Draw your gun and shoot him before he can shoot you.
3. Give him the keys.
4. Run away.

What would your spouse/significant other do in this situation?

Suddenly Approaching a Demonstration/Riot

You are driving through town listening to the Oldies station. Just as Losing My Religion starts to play, you turn a corner and find yourself approaching an angry mob. What do you do?

1. Stop immediately and try to figure out what is going on.
2. Step on the gas and force your way through the crowd.
3. Back up and go back the way you came or find an alternate route.
4. Shout “Down with Trump/Israel/the police/whatever they are rioting about!” and try to blend in.

What would your spouse/significant other do in this situation?

Assaulted in a Restroom

You have just finished your business in a restroom when a large guy bursts in and shoves you against the wall. You recognize him as the guy who bumped into you as you entered the restaurant’s front door. What do you do?

1. Apologize and attempt to defuse the situation.
2. Shove him back and tell him to get out of your face.
3. Draw your gun and shoot him.
4. Call for help.

Attacked by a Vicious Dog

You are out jogging when a large dog runs up to you and starts growling and barking aggressively. The owner is nowhere in sight. Its hair is bristling, and it is showing its teeth in an obviously vicious manner. What do you do?

1. Wave your arms and yell at it.
2. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and try to back away.
3. Draw your gun and shoot it in self-defense.
4. Run.

How would your reaction change if your family were with you?

Violence in the Workplace

Workplace shootings can quickly go beyond the shooter and whoever they are specifically angry at to include other employees. Your coworker and his supervisor just had a major argument. Your coworker storms out of the building to the parking lot and comes back in a moment later with a gun. What do you do?

1. Follow the official FBI recommendation to Run, Hide, Fight, and escape the building, then call 911.
2. Watch the situation to see how it develops and be prepared to act while not attracting attention to yourself.
3. Arm yourself and intervene.
4. Try to defuse the situation by talking your coworker down.

What would your spouse/significant other do in this situation?

Auto Burglary

You are at home one night and notice the motion-activated light over your driveway come on. When you look out you see someone breaking into your car. What do you do?

1. Run outside and yell at them.
2. Arm yourself and confront them.
3. Stay inside, record it, and call the police.
4. Go outside through the back door and try to sneak up and get the drop on them.

Woman Jogging Alone

You see a young woman jogging alone along a wooded jogging trail. She is wearing headphones and seems completely absorbed in her run. What should she be doing differently?

1. Do not jog on a wooded trail alone.
2. Pay attention to her surroundings.
3. Carry pepper spray.
4. All of the above.

Do you have family members who do this?

Witness a Possible Child Abduction in Progress

You are shopping in your favorite Walmart when you see a man suddenly pick up a small child who seems to be alone. You do not know if the man is related to the child or not, but the child immediately screams as the man begins to walk quickly toward the front of the store. What would you do?

1. Draw your gun and shoot the man.
2. Yell “Stop” and begin to chase the man.
3. Shout “Kidnapper” loudly and try to cut the man off from the exit.
4. Tackle the man.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of the possible scenarios we may encounter on any given day. There are dozens, if not hundreds more, because even the same type of incident will differ because of other external factors. The environment, the time of day, who else is present, and whatever information we do not have about the situation will impact our options and how we respond. Thinking ahead to formulate a basic plan of action while staying flexible will improve the speed and efficiency of your response. But above all, keep your head and think clearly.