We discussed this at the Active Shooter Interdiction Class in Virginia and there was a great deal of work done on it in class. The concern is that the good guy CCW, or off duty LEO for that matter, taking out the bad guy might be misidentified by responding police and shot. Police shoot one of their own every 18 months around the nation so it is a very plausible event.
Contributing factors seem to be as follows -
You are more likely to be mistakenly shot by police in areas where the carry of weapons by citizens is not common. Places like New York or Los Angeles immediately come to mind. The notion seems to be that only cops or criminals have guns. This is not the attitude I see nationwide but it is prevalent enough to be aware of it.
You are more likely to be shot if the first thing the police see is the gun....specially if it is pointed in their direction. Understand that not all officers are well trained by their agencies and some may over react to the obvious sight of a weapon, not stopping to think of who is holding it or why.
You are more likely to be shot by police if, when challenged, if you are challenged, you begin to turn toward them. This is problematic as it is a natural reaction for humans to turn toward the sound of yelling. Specially the case if it is behind them.
Solutions - Well clearly we can't just stop carrying guns because of that risk, but it is a risk that cannot be ignored. The solutions seem to be found in creating a moment of indecision for any responding officers about your misidentification as a bad guy. This is dangerous for them as hesitation kills, but from your perspective, hesitation born of indecision, also saves you.
First, forget low ready. Shoot the bad guy when you need to shoot him, and then do what you can to hide the image of the gun. That means you use Sul, or the Covered Sul we are now teaching as well. This brings the pistol in close to the body and in effect hides it from view. You can certainly still shoot additional bad guys if needed but it is not obvious that you are armed.
Two, you do not need to cover the bad guy at gunpoint as you stand over him like TJ Hooker. Shoot what you need to shoot, and until you no longer need to shoot, then haul ass to cover and hide. Hopefully with a good view of the area.
Finally, if possible, it would be an advantage to carry a weapon similar to what police officers are using. That nickel plated 1911 with General Patton Ivory grips may be the cat's meow at the church picnic, but unlikely to be seen as the "typical" cop gun. Like it or not, police in 2010 are carrying black semi auto pistols by Glock, S&W, Sig, etc.
If challenged, something we learned from friend, student, and current SWAT cop Mike Lessman (DSM Safety Products) is to grip the barrel/slide of the pistol with your support hand and yell back loud as possible. "I am a good guy....I am a good guy. Don't Shoot. I am a good guy. Don't Shoot" with an emphasis on DON'T. Very slowly raise your empty hand over your head and the barrel/slide gripped pistol in the other over your head. Alternatively you can also simply let the pistol fall.
In several events, an off duty officer that attacked an active shooter looked like what he was. He sported the tight haircut and handled his weapon in a way befitting a pro. That created doubt in the responding officers' minds about whether he was the bad guy. It also gave the off duty officer the opportunity to identify himself. Had he looked like an Undercover Dope Dealer one can imagine the possible alternate endings.
Nothing is free. You dress like a cop, you get shot by thugs. You dress like a thug, you get shot by cops. Me, I keep a tight haircut because I like it that way. I still get asked if I am in the military. Considering I am scratching the surface of 50, the XO gets a laugh out of it every time.
Still, an additional consideration - it is common for officers to raise the ID overhead to show they are LEOs. ID is not a badge. I stopped carrying badges way back in 1993 when a cop in SoCal was shot during a robbery when his badge was found on him. I began, as many others did, carrying just the ID card.
Ever try to read an ID card from 10 yards away? Is it a Police ID, or a CCW card....or a driver's license...or a membership card to the Space Invaders Club?
Remember - the idea is to create a moment of doubt about your predetermined status as bad guy. Maybe holding an open wallet overhead with an ID card showing is a good idea...a plus if its your CCW.
Then do as you are told. It will all be sorted out, but you will be alive.
What is your opinion on civilians carrying CCW Badges as a way to ID themselves as not being a bad guy?
Or is that a poser thing to carry?
~James G
Posted by: James G | 05/04/2010 at 11:12
Gabe, you continue to impress. This is something that has always bothered me about the after action in the event I had to use my CCW in a public setting.
Your suggested course of action is reasonable and well thought out. I hope people are paying attention.
Posted by: Joeit.wordpress.com | 05/04/2010 at 12:32
Thank you for this article. I drive a gasoline tanker at night in and out of the city of Charlotte NC. The area is loaded with bad guys and I carry a pair of Glocks every night and often wonder how this sort of a thing would go down...We have had several drivers from many different haulers robbed at knife and gun point over the years. I have always thought about the "dirty harry" or TJ Hooker scenerio, and having one of Charlottes finest approach and get trigger happy..
Posted by: Tom Corbett | 05/04/2010 at 13:36
I think just a wallet will be fine. The fact that you have an ID in your hand will be what creates the pause. Very few cops actually carry a badge today off duty....at least in my area.
Posted by: Gabe Suarez | 05/05/2010 at 06:36
Gabe: You are right on the money. As a former leo I can attest to the adrenilin dump a "shots fired" call brings. Until all the particpants are handcuffed and secure, no one is safe.
Posted by: Steve Rediger | 05/05/2010 at 08:07
Good essay, Gabe! This is the stuff I need to know as a civilian and the reason I train with you when possible.
Posted by: Tom Conry | 05/06/2010 at 06:05
Guns are generally proof against discharges caused by falling these days.
IMO ... Drop it. The finish is not worth stopping a bullet for.
Posted by: Kristopher | 05/06/2010 at 17:31
Is there a problem with simply returning it to your holster? I know there is a desire to keep it in hand for reassurance and for quick response, but if you have scoped out the scene for additional active shooters prior to taking this one out, why not? If an auto, I would think about swapping mags with it in the holster. With a revolver, I would want to find a very secluded place to reload, as that would be a natural time for another good guy to target you, which would spoil your whole day.
Posted by: Will | 05/08/2010 at 23:16
The issue is not returning it to holster as that is where the pistol will eventually go, but whether you have the time to do so before the police challenge you. If you do, great. But if you do not, and your only plan is to go back to holster, you will be in a tough spot. I know of several cases where people were shot for reaching toward their belt (an unmistakeable movement that usually indicates reaching for a weapon).
Posted by: Gabe Suarez | 05/10/2010 at 06:23
Nice article, very informative!
Posted by: Noah | 05/11/2010 at 12:29
This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
Posted by: Puma Shoes | 06/24/2010 at 20:24
Right on the money Gabe....excellent. I have a link to your organization in my student packets but now I'm going to go a step farther and DIRECTLY mention your organization and Warrior Talk. With the recent Eric Scott incident here in Las Vegas, this is valuable information! I even checked out DSM Safety Products. Keep up the good work and Thank You for helping all of us be more safe! Rick - Be Safe Firearms Instruction.
Posted by: Rick Cross | 09/20/2010 at 06:55