How to stop an Active Shooter

  On August 1^st in 1966, Charles Whitman climbed to the 28^th floor of the University of Texas  Clock Tower and began shooting at the students below, killing 14 and wounding 31. At that time, the Austin Police Department had no plan for dealing with such an incident and the term “active shooter” did not yet exist. The country was in shock that this level of violence could even occur.

    As of this writing on the 61^st day of 2023, there have been 95 mass shootings in the US as reported by The Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research group tracking gun violence using police reports, news coverage and other public sources. They define a mass shooting as one in which at least four people were killed or injured. There have been 7 school shootings that resulted in injuries or death. There were 51 school shootings last year which was the most in a single year. With the yearly increase in these incidents, it is even more critical for us to ensure that our businesses and schools are safe, and that workers, students and educators understand how to handle active shooter scenarios.

     COBRA Defense International has been using scenario-based training since 2002.  This type of training is not a “Drill” or a lecture. It is empowering and interactive training where we explore what a gunman needs to be ‘successful’ and how to systematically take those needs away one by one as an active shooter event continues. This begins with the knowledge that your top priority is to always strive to safely get out of the building, no matter what stage the event is in.

    The COBRA Active Shooter Response Plan provides a comprehensive strategy for civilians, schools, corporations, groups, and organizations worldwide on how to deal with an armed assailant. It was the focus of a Time Magazine article called ‘I Wish We Could Stop Teaching This’. It is a comprehensive and thorough course that can be effectively taught in a short amount of time no matter what experience you have. By focusing on the “Critical Window”, students are taken through the initial moment the shooting starts to when the shooter is stopped, or the Police arrive.

    No one wants to think about something so horrible because it makes them feel helpless. But you will see that there are many things you can do. You have many advantages that you don’t even know about. Basic understanding and education in this area can save lives. By the time you finish this course, you will have that basic understanding and education.