Some good insights and recommendations. I'm thinking not so much of concealed carry permits and everyone armed as I am of perhaps trying to encourage mass counterattacks by people who are being shot at.
Modern weapons can throw a lot of bullets, but if only one or two potential victims can reach attacker(s), perhaps attacks can be stopped or significantly reduced, at least within close ranges. Cowering or running away if, say, within 20 feet only gives the attacker(s) more confidence and victims.
Not saying I would be able to do it. But hoping many people could if encouraged and trained that way as part of the curriculum of surviving in the modern world.
Some have mentioned karate or other self-defense with minimum weaponry except what is at hand, e.g., chairs, clubs, knives, whatever. Such training could also inculcate a measure of self-sacrifice that might be unprecedented. It might suggest something as universally available as ball bats or baseballs in strategic locations as potential emergency self defense assets.
Unfortunately even the best of preparations may not deter suicidal attacks. But better preparations could significantly reduce the damage.
For example, gunman enters classroom of 20 students. None resist. All are potential victims.
Another example: gunman enters classroom of only six students. Immediately they scatter, attempting to surround him, throwing books or anything else at him, reacting immediately and attacking him simultaneously from as many directions as possible.
Will he be able to hit and incapacitate a bunch of screaming yelling hostile people coming at him from all over the place? Certainly not as easily as them all sitting at their desks or lying motionless on the floor. The attacker's odds of success are suddenly and dramatically reduced.
It's all about temptation and control. The more obstacles in the way of a an attacker, the less likely he will be able to seize or stay in control. The more obvious the difficulities are to an attacker, the less likely he will attack.
Flight 93 is probably our best recent example of heroic innocents fighting back. If that awful time ever comes when death is imminent, better to die rushing toward it than running away from it.
This is in no way a criticism of any victims. It is a suggestion that maybe we need to reexamine our whole philosophy of passive resistance to attackers and replace it with active aggressive training in self defense not only individually but in group situations. We all need each other more than ever.
