The holidays apparently didn’t provide sufficient inspiration to show our best and brightest sides. In fact, the wrap-up for 2024 probably reinforces the idea we’re not in the best of shape humanity-wise.
Nothing, however, will minimize the heinousness of that senseless attack on partygoers in New Orleans. There’s absolutely no comfort when terrorism experts predict the country’s ideological divide means we have an increased likelihood of other terrorist activity. In fact, the backchannel chatter between terrorism observers at the local, state and national levels indicate a belief that radicalized locals will join foreigners to create more mayhem.
The likelihood of attacks on civilian targets is apparently higher today than at any time in our recent history. So how are we supposed to live our lives? The same way we should have been living them since reaching the age of majority. By watching and being aware of our surroundings, not our phones. Noticing the people around us and, as my friend Tom Gresham puts it: “not going into stupid places for stupid things.” In other words, not going where predators hunt.
Ultimately, this time-worn expression is still true: To avoid getting eaten, don’t look like food.
That’s really not all that difficult. Be aware of what’s going on around you. Coming out of the grocery with a couple of medium bags of stuff, don’t carry them in your arms, use a grocery cart. If you’re female or have a physical issue that limits mobility, don’t shut down the idea of a grocery worker carrying them for you, especially if you have children with you.
In a “parking lot situation” a grocery carts becomes a standoff weapon. Use it to block, delay or even down an attacker. But never lose sight of the ultimate goal: to prevent transitioning from shopper to victim. The goal is never to make a “citizens’ arrest.”
Never look for a confrontation. Cut off in traffic? Breathe before you blow.
Seriously, I’m talking to you. Especially if you always carry your pistol, backup mags, a fighting knife and a million-watt tactical flashlight. They are last-ditch options. The mental confusion that follows any shooting isn’t the time try and explain to the new-to-the-scene, adrenaline-fueled police officer that you’re really the good guy.
If you’re at home, precautions should already be in place. One reminder: you’re always responsible for all of your firearms, even if they’re not under your direct control.
That said, there’s quite a calendar of potential targets over the next few weeks. Former President Carter’s funeral is later this week, the college football playoffs continue, the NFL playoff get under way and there are events like ATA, DSC, SCI, SHOT, etc. Security will be heightened at the major sporting events, but the industry shows could also make attractive targets.
Fortunately, I’ve been assured that “precautions” have been taken at industry events.
As always, we’ll keep you posted.
Here is a good tip: don’t do what most people do.
You may be thinking about that sentence above, “How is that helpful?” The answer is simple: most criminals watch what most people are doing, note those predictable patterns, and then find vulnerabilities to exploit. Once a predator can predict what its prey will do and knows the preys’ vulnerabilities, that predator will lie in wait and then ambush its prey–quite often with spectacular success.
I employed this very same strategy to my white-tailed deer hunting this year. I started hunting a property three seasons ago. Just this year I finally realized the deer movement pattern and their attendant vulnerabilities. The result, I was able to predict their movement so well that I actually managed to harvest two deer just two hours apart and took a total of four deer for the season. (My freezer is full!)