Question; Is an Armed Civilian Obligated to Engage an Active Shooter?

[Grunt67]

That's an interesting take on his part.

 

FWIW I went through active shooter training (again) last week from TN Homeland Security. The Special Agent flat told us that if she was involved in an active shooter situation and her family was present (out at the mall or something), she would get her family out of there and then decide if she was going to go back in to attempt to engage the threat.

 

 Different class/instructor, different opinions. We were instructed to eliminate the shooter. Period. If you're alone, you go in alone, if you have your team, etc. use what you have. People are being killed while you do otherwise.

[JT59]

Many years ago my wife and I were at our local credit union to get a car loan when a masked man with a gun came in. We were in a small side room with a big window to the lobby and I never considered confronting him unless he started shooting people. My wife realized what was happening  as he was running out the door, she said "Get your gun, stop him" so I said " Are you crazy, this a good example of  why I will never buy you a handgun" I never told her that I was wearing my gun.

Family first, everyone else depends on the situation and very far down the list is everything else.

[diamondback]

Many years ago my wife and I were at our local credit union to get a car loan when a masked man with a gun came in. We were in a small side room with a big window to the lobby and I never considered confronting him unless he started shooting people. My wife realized what was happening  as he was running out the door, she said "Get your gun, stop him" so I said " Are you crazy, this a good example of  why I will never buy you a handgun" I never told her that I was wearing my gun.

Family first, everyone else depends on the situation and very far down the list is everything else.

Good call. People don't realize you could hit someone else,. Money can be replaced. The Monday quarterback would be if he shot someone jacking a car out of the bank. Everyone is different, but I know I would second guess if I should have taken a shot. Now if he just stole money and went on his way I would be no harm no foul. My instructor told us in a convenience store example. If someone comes in pulls a gun and takes money just observe unless shooting starts, but when the crook starts trying to tell everyone to lay on their belly or restraining people or trying to put everyone in the back there is a good chance they will try to kill you so go out swinging.