Hypothetical scenario

[jdavidson]

Just curious...
There’s 4 good guys with concealed weapons in Walmart. They are shopping with family and minding their businesses. One good guy on isle 2. One good guy on isle 4. One good guy on isle 8. One good guy on isle 10.
Then on isle 6 a lunatic nut job pulls a gun from his waistband and starts executing innocent people.
All 4 good guys draw weapon...advance to the commotion...come running towards isle 6 with weapon drawn...total chaos everywhere. All 4 good guys and the devil wind up on isle 6 and a shootout begins.
My question is...how do the good guys know who to shoot ? How do the good guys know if it’s just one bad guy or multiple ? How do the good guys know when to quit shooting ?
And if ANYBODY reads into this I’m preaching against self protection...then you can’t read very well

[okrattler]

Just curious...
There’s 4 good guys with concealed weapons in Walmart. They are shopping with family and minding their businesses. One good guy on isle 2. One good guy on isle 4. One good guy on isle 8. One good guy on isle 10.
Then on isle 6 a lunatic nut job pulls a gun from his waistband and starts executing innocent people.
All 4 good guys draw weapon...advance to the commotion...come running towards isle 6 with weapon drawn...total chaos everywhere. All 4 good guys and the devil wind up on isle 6 and a shootout begins.
My question is...how do the good guys know who to shoot ? How do the good guys know if it’s just one bad guy or multiple ? How do the good guys know when to quit shooting ?
And if ANYBODY reads into this I’m preaching against self protection...then you can’t read very well

If anyone shoots at me,they're a bad guy. I'll deal with the repercussions later if I'm wrong and live through it.

[12RingKing]

The scenario would read itself. I believe you would instinctively know who’s bad and who’s good by their demeanor.

If I saw guys in street clothes with pistols and a guy with body armor and an ak47.... common sense should take over.

[RascalArms]

It’s happened actually. Innocent undercover or off duty LEOs have been shot while responding to a disturbance before when out of uniform.

In the scenario you hope the “good guys” as you state are trained to identify the true target and the target’s actions prior to firing. Highly unlikely though IMO.

[Drycreek3189]

The hypothetical scenario you describe is why IN MOST CASES one should hang back until he/she figures out what is going on. I know that’s not how it should happen in a perfect world, but this world is far from perfect. Unfortunately, bad guys don’t have a sign hanging around their necks.

Oh, and neither do good guys, and if you have a gun in your hand when the cops arrive, you will be a dead good guy.

[camoclad]

It’s happened actually. Innocent undercover or off duty LEOs have been shot while responding to a disturbance before when out of uniform.

In the scenario you hope the “good guys” as you state are trained to identify the true target and the target’s actions prior to firing. Highly unlikely though IMO.

This^^, if you find yourself moving toward gunfire in plainclothes, the odds are already not great even before you get to the area the fire is originating.

Good question OP. Gun owners ought to be thinking about these scenarios.

[jdavidson]

The hypothetical scenario you describe is why IN MOST CASES one should hang back until he/she figures out what is going on. I know that’s not how it should happen in a perfect world, but this world is far from perfect. Unfortunately, bad guys don’t have a sign hanging around their necks.

Oh, and neither do good guys, and if you have a gun in your hand when the cops arrive, you will be a dead good guy.

only logical response so far

[PondPopper]

This might help some of you decide what to do.

https://youtu.be/j0It68YxLQQ

[12RingKing]

This^^, if you find yourself moving toward gunfire in plainclothes, the odds are already not great even before you get to the area the fire is originating.

Good question OP. Gun owners ought to be thinking about these scenarios.

It is true and a good point.

That’s why when cops show up, good guys know to get on the ground with weapons out of their hands

[cashcropper]

X2 what Drycreek said. Don't go in blazing. Figure out what is going on.This is a good example of the responsibility that comes with a concealed carry license.

[Cbb1722]

Imo if someone’s shooting up a place and I run around the corner and see someone else with a gun but not shooting ima assume that they’re on the good guy side. Especially if they see me with a gun drawn. Because more than likely the shooting is still going to be going on in the meantime and it’d be obvious.

[TxMedic]

I’ve thought through and talked through a lot of scenarios. I carry everywhere when I’m off duty. With that said, my weapon is for my protection and the protection of my family, first and foremost. Now, if I’m ever in such a situation, god forbid...it will depend on a lot of factors. If the shooter is in plain sight and I can safely make a shot or move to a position to neutralize the threat, I’ll gladly take it. But, I’m not going looking for the shooter. I’ll help my family first and then as many others as possible move to safety/shelter. Selfish? Maybe...but, if I get myself killed immediately by doing something stupid, I’m no help to anyone.

[yotethumper]

Run. Hide. Fight. A conceal carrier should not actively hunt down a shooter. Get out of the area as quickly as you can. If you run into the shooter while finding cover or exiting, neutralize the threat and keep moving. This isn't the movies or a video game. If you are unable to exit don't force your way out guns blazing, stage up somewhere with good cover and angles that you can strategically work if need be. You are responsible for your own safety and your family, everyone else isn't your concern. It is a harsh truth and lots of people don't like to think about it like that but it is what it is.

[Traildust]

According to the media.....the white guy with the Trump hat on is the bad guy....shoot him first. If you are white and have a Trump hat on, shoot yourself second.

[TexasBob]

Thought about this a lot the last couple of days. Always scary, but I mean now its Walmart... If I can see the shooter, I'm engaged and have to deal. If I can't, its retreat if its safe, best defensive position I can in front of my wife and daughter if not. Feels rough to say, but I'm worried about them and then myself. Not leaving them to play the hero if I'm being honest, guess it's not in me. Help anyone I could, but not at their or my expense.