According to The Washington Post, there have been, to date, 355 mass shootings, which is just ten shootings less than the number of days there are in a year.
Mass Shootings, Shelter in Place and Active Shooter are three teams that have quickly become a part of the American lexicon. With mass shootings taking place seemingly everyday, President Barack Obama, providing comfort to the nation following a massacre proceeding the carnage in San Bernardino California said American’s have become numb to mass shootings.
Often, when there is an imminent threat or hazard, the public is told to “shelter in place.” Sheltering in place is a precautionary routine to keep you as safe as possible while indoors during an emergency event. Someone who is not well-versed in emergency preparedness, however, may interpret the instruction as: stay exactly where you currently are. That tactic could, in fact, put you in danger.
Situations that may require you to shelter in place include natural disasters; accidental or intentional release of chemical, biological or radiological material; or an emergency safety situation, such as in the event of an active shooter. Different threats require slightly different sheltering recommendations.
Common traits of an active shooter
Active shooters tend to primarily use firearms but often have secondary weapons such as explosive devices. It is common for them to start with a particular target and then branch out to anyone who comes across their paths.
Furthermore, active shooters typically don’t have any regard for their own lives, so they have no need for hostages and consequently won’t engage in negotiations. They will therefore continue to shoot until they commit suicide or are taken down.
If you’re in a different area than the active shooter
Although evacuating the building is ideal, it is often more dangerous to leave the safety of a room to which you can prevent access. Escape only if you are positive that you know the location of the shooter, bearing in mind that you should never use the sound of gunshots to determine its origin due to misleading echoes.
If you are unable to flee safely, shelter in place in a room that is out of the active shooter’s sight and that can be easily secured. Immediately lock or barricade the door, turn off the lights and close the blinds. Mute your cell phones and any other devices that make noise and remain completely silent.
Hide behind large items and don’t let anyone else in unless you are certain that you are not endangering the lives of the people in the room. If anyone gets hurt, alert first responders by placing signs in the exterior windows. Stay in the room until you get official clearance from law enforcement officers.
If you are in the same area as the active shooter
Try to distance yourself from the shooter by finding refuge behind large objects like a desk or vehicle and attempt to keep out of the active shooter’s view. If you run, avoid making straight lines.
As a last resort, playing dead or fighting back may be an option.
