Casca wrote I think this is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen, besides anything having to do with reality TV.

The thought behind this, along with the picture that was provided, shows that they are to use these "blankets" while hiding in their rooms. That is a dumb idea. It was shown in the Sandy Hook tragedy that staying in their rooms was exactly what they did, and the result was that it ended costing several innocent children and adults to loose their lives.

I think most people don't have a clue on the kinetic energy that is associated with a bullet's impact to armor or anything soft. The first few shots would cause whomever is holding this to loose their grip and become a target. I think that the policy and psychology of keeping students in a closed space during an Active Shooter scenario is suicidal. The best thing to do is to GET OUT. To explain my point please use the link provided on an archived topic that is closely related to this topic.

Issues
1. Training - How much time is going to be devoted to training students on how to familiarize themselves with this and how to use it.
2. Cost - With the education system completely underwater how much money is this going to cost. The most recent shooting took place in a school that had 2800 students.
3. Is it viable? Would it protect people and is it worth it when there are several other options?

Archives/t=4799586/active-shooter...-plan.html

Casca wrote All,
I wanted to start this discussion in light of recent events that have taken place (over the past few years) in respect to Active Shooter incidents in schools and public places. First of all this is not a weapons discussion. The only exception is if the conversation moves to the role of citizens with CCW's and their role in stopping an incident that is not at an educational institution. Please keep all talk about assault weapons and whether they should be banned or not out of this topic, there are plenty out there for you to express yourself on. I believe that this subject pertains to a large part of our members due to the fact that most are enrolled in an educational institution of some sort and that you need to be aware of your surroundings when you are out in public.

Official definition of an Active Shooter
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_shooter
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An active shooter is defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a conned and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims."

I would like to pose the following questions to you.
1. Does your school have a plan for an Active Shooter Scenario? If so what is it?
2. What is your plan of action if something like this happens? At school? At a public place?
3. Have you even considered what you would do if it happened to you?
4. Do you know if your school district has offered any training to its staff? If so what is it and who does it?
Edit to add: By training I do not mean firearms training to teachers and staff, I mean training in how to deal with the situation.
5. Does your school conduct drills of any type?
6. Have you and your family discussed a plan if something like this happens?


Think about the questions and post your thoughts. Yes, this was made a Sticky by me. I believe it is important to put this out there for the time being.

I have my thoughts, and will post them shortly, but would like to know what, you, the members think about this.

Below are some helpful links that provide some info.
publicintelligence.net/dhs-fbi-bu...-shooters/
publicintelligence.net/only-4-per...ere-women/
vault.fbi.gov/Columbine%20High%20School%20

My later response

Casca wrote I have noticed from the responses that the main drill is to perform a "Lockdown".

Personally I don't see the rationale behind that. See my comments below, but first.

I would like to say I do not mean any offense by any of my comments about any of the school shootings. They are a huge tragedy and I hope that none of you have to go through any of it.

That being said, here are my comments.

Most schools that I have heard about, including the ones listed by our members and Sandybrook Elementary have a "Lockdown" policy (Early Reports). The problem is that at Sandybrook, it worked and 20 kids were gunned down without mercy by a coward. I have a HUGE problem with grouping people (students) in a confined area, like fish in a barrel, and make them easy targets. In my opinion I believe the best course of action for students is to GTFO of the area. If you look at the incidents and studies you will see that with the exception of a few most of the shootings have taken place in a very close, confined space.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shootings
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sch...ted_States

The more space that you put between you and the shooter, the better off you are. I don't want you to go out there and start busting windows during a drill, but I want you to think about avenues of escape. I understand why school administrations want to keep students together (for control), but there needs to be a better common sense approach to this.

Trained and Untrained
Studies have shown that most of the perpetrators are not trained. By trained I mean, law enforcement, military or combat/tactical shooting training. Most are just people with a problem.

Targets VS. Threats
Trained individuals are conditioned to search for and engage threats. Untrained people just look for targets, the easier the better, to eliminate.

The reason for those comments are to describe what is going on when one of these people go off. Most are shown to have what is known as "Target Fixation", which is when a person becomes so obsessed on a specific task that they tend to ignore anything that is going on around them. Trained individuals will always "hunt for a threat" and not just go off randomly. The fact that most are this way (untrained) will increase your chances of survival if you try to escape. Most of these perpetrators are just looking for easy targets. If you stay moving and exit the area you will have a better chance of survival.

Below is a protocol that I read about on a military forum that I frequent. I believe that it is a good common sense approach.
1. Evade and escape away from the shooter and the incident site.
2. If you can't E&E, barricade yourself away from the shooter.
3. If you can't evade or barricade, attack the shooter with everything you got: Fists, feet, chairs, textbooks, computers. Don't restrain them, STOP THEM HARD. Mob the shooter and beat him down.

In light of what has happened. I suggest talking to your parents, friends and administration about the pros and cons of just "Sitting in a classroom" if someone starts shooting.

Please let me know your thoughts.

I still believe that the best COA is to just get out of the area. Don't stop until you are clear.


Groovy