Have You Got a Plan?

I often spend some time with a class talking about having a plan for bad things. Usually it comes when there's been one of those Virginia Tech or Fort Hood or University of Alabama news events. You know the ones I mean, the psycho-killer in a gun-free zone comes calling. So, read this for content:

I Thought None of Us Would Come Out Alive

The conference room is crowded for twelve people. That means everyone is close enough to reach out and touch. Shooter uncloaks and starts work. What happens?

Everyone cowers until shooter's gun jams. (Memo to self, before commencing jihad remember to clean and lube weapons.)

Brave Joe Ng, associate professor cowers in fear waiting for shooter to remember to "Tap, Rack, Shoot" and resume. A woman stands up and attacks the shooter. Nice work there, Joe.

The woman faces the shooter who points and fires but gun continues to malfunction. Woman then pushes shooter out of the room, apparently with the help of other academics, except for cowardly Joe Ng. They barricade the door and wait for shooter to deal with the delay and return to business.

Have a plan. Look for exits. Know lines of sight from windows and doorways. Size up your potential weapons, even if you are compliant with the ridiculous gun-free zone rules. What is near to hand that is pointed, heavy or swingable? Get your mind-set on every day when you face the world. You should know before the need that you will not be a victim today or tomorrow or ever.

Passively waiting to be dispatched is not my idea of how I'm going out.