# Follow up question for the CCW holder. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426 "2018-02-23T19:44:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/1 "2018-02-23T19:44:47Z")
[Follow up to this thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=849874) You’re in a large public indoor venue (mall, car show, museum, etc…). Lots of families. School children. The usual suspects. Suddenly you hear gun fire and the panic that ensues. You see people running, sheltering in place. You don’t know how many shooters or whether police are on the scene. You have a weapon and from your relatively safe vantage point you conclude the shooter(s) are getting closer or at least close enough for you to seek out and engage them. 1. Do you? 2. Why or why not? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/2 "2018-02-23T19:55:13Z")
I have no idea how I’d react in a situation like that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/3 "2018-02-23T20:05:22Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > [Follow up to this thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=849874) > > You’re in a large public indoor venue (mall, car show, museum, etc…). Lots of families. School children. The usual suspects. Suddenly you hear gun fire and the panic that ensues. You see people running, sheltering in place. You don’t know how many shooters or whether police are on the scene. You have a weapon and from your relatively safe vantage point you conclude the shooter(s) are getting closer or at least close enough for you to seek out and engage them. > > 1. Do you? > 2. Why or why not? I used to have a CCW. So, I would take cover and direct people to get out or behind me. I would make sure someone had called 911. I would seriously pause before advancing. I would want the Police or bystanders to think I was also a shooter. I would see if anyone could tell me about the shooters- how many, how dressed, etc. If there were several ,well armed I wouldnt advance. I would protect my bystanders and myself. If only one shooter and I thought there was no way I could be mistaken, then\* perhaps\* advance. And yes, I was shot at before. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/4 "2018-02-23T20:05:33Z")
Absolutely not, unless the shooter can see me and is aiming for me (i.e., the nothing left to lose situation), otherwise I would assume the shooter is armed with something more accurate and carrying more amno than my handgun and probably more aware of the surroundings. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/5 "2018-02-23T20:18:10Z")
And yes, if the victims were little kids, I might be stupid enough to try to be the hero. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/6 "2018-02-23T20:40:40Z")
I’m still going with run, hide, fight, in that order. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/7 "2018-02-23T20:44:32Z")
I’m a fucking coward. I’d get outa that place as quickly as possible, using little kids as a screen if the situation allowed. Once I felt safe I’d call 911. My main reason for having a carry permit when I did (I let it lapse) was so I could legally carry when going to target shoot. \*Note: I am not a LEO. ETA: "Cover me, **Dung Beetle**! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/8 "2018-02-23T20:51:57Z")
Trying to be honest, and not let the “internet hero” effect take over: Depending on the situation, I’d take as many people as I could and protect them. I’d shoot if threatened but not otherwise. I am not going to make the situation worse by shooting at people if I don’t know what is going on. And I am not going to do anything that can make me look like a shooter to another “good guy with a gun”. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/9 "2018-02-23T21:03:10Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I’m still going with run, hide, fight, in that order. Exactly. The shooter is quite likely calm, while everyone else is going to be scared shitless, whether or not they are armed. Holding a weapon steady when your heart is going like a jackhammer is nearly impossible, even for highly trained folks who do it for a living. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/10 "2018-02-23T21:12:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > ETA: "Cover me, **Dung Beetle**! Good luck, dude! Run like the wind! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/11 "2018-02-23T21:24:19Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Good luck, dude! Run like the wind! :eek: Thanks for the suppressive fire. I owe you (or your estate). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/12 "2018-02-23T22:04:54Z")
Pretty much what all have said already. Depends somewhat on a few different things but anyone of the choices might feel right depending. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/13 "2018-02-24T00:25:42Z")
1. “Seek out” - probably not, but it does depend on the circumstances somewhat 2. My first duty is owed to my family. I want to protect them and be there in the future to provide for them. If I’m with them, and we’re in a relatively safe location, I’m a) not going to leave them defenseless while I go looking for trouble and b) sure as hell not going to drag them along while I look for trouble. Perhaps if I were alone that day, and it sounded like a bunch of nuns and schoolkids were being slowly and methodically murdered next door, I would feel like taking my chances and try to help them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/14 "2018-02-24T03:58:46Z")
When I look at pictures of my father in WW-II I see a kid who should have been fishing with his friends instead of engaging in the horrors of war. He did that voluntarily and at a very young age. I don’t think a mass shooting is much different. I’d feel obligated to risk my life particularly since I’ve had the luxury of living a fair percentage of the average life span. It’s not that I have a killer instinct but I’d be in a blind rage over a coward mowing down people. Hopefully I don’t have a full bladder if it happens. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/15 "2018-02-24T04:03:42Z")
This is asking for personal opinions so, you know… Moved to IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/16 "2018-02-24T09:11:59Z")
Since I am a timid and armed introvert, in order to not make waves or bring undue attention to myself (especially from the shooters), I’d start shooting bystanders in order to fit in with the controlling group in this scenario. This is probably what I’d end up doing if I engaged the shooters in the first place. I love hypotheticals. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/17 "2018-02-24T09:43:55Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > Since I am a timid and armed introvert, in order to not make waves or bring undue attention to myself (especially from the shooters), I’d start shooting bystanders in order to fit in with the controlling group in this scenario. This is probably what I’d end up doing if I engaged the shooters in the first place. > > I love hypotheticals. I have to say that’s pretty darkly funny. Also it makes me think about how absurd it could get, if half a dozen people in the public place had CCWs and half started shooting at mass shooters and half tried to join in. Prosecuting the survivors could get complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/18 "2018-02-24T11:03:12Z")
Trying to ‘play cop’ was what got Zimmerman in way over his head … you have the right to protect yourself, but going on the offensive for others, without the backup of a law enforcement organisation (all of which will back away from you in the public debate afterwards, if you live to see it) is another thing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/19 "2018-02-24T13:29:21Z")
Thanks to all those who’ve replied or even given it some thought. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426/20 "2018-02-24T15:12:06Z")
The question brings up not only the possibility of “Good Guy Shooters” being mistaken for the mass shooter but also the shooter passing himself off as a Good Guy Shooter. Combined, they have the possibility of being a horrible Monty Python sketch. Has a mass shooter ever disguised himself as a member of law enforcement? In a big area where police officers don’t all know each other by name, how long could he keep that up? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/follow-up-question-for-the-ccw-holder/809426.md?page=2)