Five Things You Can Do Right Now to Make the World Safer

There have been a couple more active killer incidents around the country recently, and I'm not going to give the killers airtime. I'm not going to say their names, show their faces, or recap their stories. The media does that and it seems to make things worse. Copycat crimes nearly always follow the coverage, and I’m not interested in celebrating the mentally unstable.

What I am interested in is what you and I can actually do at our level to make a real difference.

Here are five things I want to encourage you to take to heart and implement in your life.

1. Carry a Firearm Every Day, Everywhere

Carry a gun everywhere you go, every single day. It doesn't count when it's in your gun safe. It doesn't count when it's in your car. It counts when it's on your body.

We need to play zone defense. When you're out in public, you are the coverage for the people around you. Something like 90 to 94 percent of active killer events happen in gun-free zones, so sort that into your thinking.

For me this isn't just tactical. I am called by God to be a protector of the innocent. If something went down and I could have stopped it but wasn't carrying, I don't think the blood would ever wash off my hands. That's how seriously I take this.

If you ever run into me out in public, I will ask you if you're carrying. Make sure the answer is yes.

2. Stop Feeding the Coverage

Either unfollow or call out media outlets that are glamorizing these killers by publishing their names, their photos, their manifestos, and their backstories. That coverage is inspiring copycats. It is literally causing people to die.

If you see an outlet doing it, tell them. Point out that publicizing this stuff draws positive attention to people who want infamy, and it encourages the next one. Then stop following them. Don't keep feeding the machine.

3. Learn

Learn how these guys think, where and how they attack, and what your best options are if you're on the X or someone you love is.

Department of Homeland Security has a free resource online covering the run, hide, fight framework. It’s worth knowing.

If you're involved in church security, there are detailed free resources specifically built for that, including how to build a full church security plan. I filmed a twelve-part training series that I offer on our Warrior Poet Society Network, which you can watch for free at watchwpsn.com.

And if you're in a position where you're speaking on active killer response at a church, school, or organization, look into getting a credentialed course behind you. There are courses available that come with a recognized certification, which matters practically and legally if your decisions ever get scrutinized. I went through one recently and learned more than I expected going in.

4. Train

Learn the fundamentals of gunfighting and practice until you are fast and accurate. That's the baseline. Then push further into scenario-based training, force-on-force, video simulation, and running and gunning—physically moving and performing under stress.

Don't stop at the entry-level pistol and rifle stuff. That's a box to check on the way to training that incorporates stress, quick thinking, and real problem solving. That's where it actually comes together.

Check out our firearms training classes to help you advance to the next level.

5. Carry Medical

I carry a medical kit on my ankle every single day. I forget it's there. I also have medical in my everyday carry bag, in my vehicle, and in my wife's vehicle. I've always got it around.

I’m not talking about boo-boo kits here. I’m talking about a trauma kit designed to stop death by employing the MARCH protocol: massive hemorrhaging, airway, respiration and breathing, circulation, and hypothermia and head injury.

If you're serious about protecting life, you're probably more likely to save someone with medical than with a gun. Carry both. Stage medical everywhere you stage your other gear and know how to use what you're carrying by getting training like our Practical Medical Response course.

I recommend carrying enough trauma supplies to render care to everyone in your immediate family. So if you’re a family of four, that means four fully stocked trauma kits.

Conclusion

These are five things you and I can do at our level to actually make the world safer. Let's stay focused on being proactive and not on sharing the latest killer's story over and over. Let's focus on the solution.

Remember, Train Hard. Train Smart. And step up as the protector you’re required to be.