Defense Citizen response to an active shooter David Reeder January 26, 2014 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. I sent Ell P down to Atlanta this weekend to cover the Sage Dynamics Civilian Response to an Active Shooter course. This seems particularly, tragically, apropos given today's events in Baltimore. Once again we've seen that no amount of “gun free zone” signs can prevent a murderer intent on killing people; neither can even the most proficient and proactive of law enforcement agencies provide complete surety. Would an “armed responsible citizen” have prevented the killings today? That will no doubt be argued ad infinatum by pundits on both sides of the Second Amendment aisle. My stance, as you can probably guess, is that the ultimate responsibility for your safety or that of your family is your own. Seek training – seek it to improve your ability with a handgun. Seek it in order to render aid. Maybe the laws in your area cripple your ability to defend yourself – don't let them hamper you from knowing how to put a tourniquet on someone in the dark, under pressure. Make sure your family knows what to do. Find a reputable instructor in your area and go learn – there are many good teaching cadres out there, whether nationally ‘famous' or local. Sage Dynamics is one. Graham Combat, Rockwell Tactical, Victory First and NOLATAC are four more. Dark Angel Medical and Lone Star Medics are just two companies can help prepare you to deal with trauma and injury. Can't travel anywhere due to time or budget constraints? Subscribe to Panteao online or watch Trigger Time. Go train. Find a way. Maintain situational awareness. Be prepared to act. Today the students completed Training Day One of just one example of such training. For most if not all of those training it was an eye-opener. Training with Simunition rounds will do that. Here are just a few images from the training today. You'll see a far more thorough article and summary in the future. If you're interested in one instructor's “road map” to training, read Brannon's op-ed on the topic. Sage Dynamics' Director of Training Aaron Cowan's articles are listed here. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
