ISIS Mall Attack - How can we prepare?

[PaJ]

I've just read this entire thread for the first time. I've not watched the video's, but will with my wife.

I live near The Woodlands and work near The Galleria in Houston. I don't have the same luxury that many of you do to simply stay out of the city. Also, I have five teenagers - two of whom are girls and one of the boys likes to shop as much as a girl. I want them to live in a state of situational awareness - not fear. I choose what malls and theaters they (or we) go to based not only on 30.06 signs but also the general vibe of the store. Willowbrook mall is closer to my house, but because of some of the gang activity in the area, my family doesn't go there. My kids aren't allowed to go to AMC theaters but do go to the Silverado (not posted).

Personally, I hate malls but go with them. Occasionally, I have a need to go but do most of what I can online. They do most of their buying online, but go to the mall for shopping.

My late wife (ironically she died at 39) had a great perspective on this. When God decides to take you home, then it's your time. In her four years of illness, she rarely had a pity party. Instead she made the most of the horrible situation and ministered to hundreds of others on her way out literally around the world. If you watched the summer Olympics in 2008, you likely saw her in a TV commercial for MD Anderson immediately following the Olympic program. It aired every night.

So to the original question, I have become an urban prepper. I have started planning for situations I am most likely to face. Power outages. Stuck in an elevator. And possibly even an active shooter or self defense situation. That's why I have a CHL. My goal is to have enough on my person to get to my truck. Then enough in my truck to get to my house. At some point, all I can do is all I can do. I would fight to defend those around me, but not to the detriment of my life or my families life. Once I'm out, I am getting my family to safety. I would never have enough firepower with me to take on a mall attack. Nor do I have the training or physical ability to be a "warrior". I don't mean I don't care. I am realistic to know that I would just increase their body count.

I went to see American Sniper. I was VERY aware of the situation given the topic of the movie. I also suspect that there were more people with CHLs watching that movie than 50 Shades of Gray, so found some comfort in that. Prior to that, I haven't seen a movie in years. Not because I'm afraid of theaters but just because I prefer to watch at home. I go to the mall at least once a month because it's a great teaching opportunity and my kids want to go. When I go to those places, I carry additional ammo, my larger EDC pack, an additional handgun, etc. - more than I would when I'm in my office at work.

I have done a number of triathlons (swim,bike,run) in the past including an Ironman. There was a much higher percentage of me drowning during the swim or getting hit on my bike during training than there is of a mall attack. I still chose to participate because I enjoyed it.

In my mind, there's a line between being prepared and paranoid. I am prepared to defend my life and family. I am also prepared for the day I breath my last breath. I try to live accordingly.

[C-dub]

Humans who deliberately kill innocents, are no longer innocent themselves. The judgement and sentence are required to be carried out by the duly appointed GOVERNMENT.

I'm not the government and wouldn't be judging a person that is murdering innocents, but if I found myself in the middle of that situation I would have the right to stop that person to save others. Not the obligation mind you, but I would have the right.

[Strat9mm]

I have a question: How do CHL holders communicate with each other that "I'm not a BG?"

Ahh, . . . . , don't wear a burka?

You didn't tell him about the CHL badge, tiara, and sash.

Anygunanywhere

Everyone wear your I'm an INFIDEL baseball caps...

Seriously though, we can buy CHL badges? Where?

[Abraham]

Strat9mm,

In the unlikely event your question wasn't in jest, and you may not be aware,the wearing of a CHL badge/sash/tiara is the butt of many a joke on this forum.

As it should be...

[The Annoyed Man]

In my mind, there's a line between being prepared and paranoid. I am prepared to defend my life and family. I am also prepared for the day I breath my last breath. I try to live accordingly.

This.

[Strat9mm]

Strat9mm,

In the unlikely event your question wasn't in jest, and you may not be aware,the wearing of a CHL badge/sash/tiara is the butt of many a joke on this forum.

As it should be...

No way!


kidding.

That was funny.

[RustES]

I'd suggest being quiet and literally ducking down into the nearest open mall store that doesn't seem to have shooters in it (no gunfire, and no civilians running and screaming their way out of the store) and going straight out the employee entrance/back hallways. Hopefully, there won't be anyone in there and you'll be able to get yourself and loved ones away without having to fire a shot.

If the terrorists decided to start in the middle of the mall where all the people are, you're good. Duck into a store and get out. If they decided to start from within the back hallways and service entrances of the mall, they'll also have the main entrances covered as they come out shooting from within mall stores, herding people out of the stores as they go. Security will have been targeted first of course. This won't end well.

The good thing is most malls are fairly large, and the terrorists hopefully won't be able to cover every single entrance or exit.

I'd suggest using a concealed handgun to attack from behind. Take out their pelvic bones with a a couple of shots to bring them down, then put 2 in their face and take their weapon (probably an assault rifle, those guys love AK's), and use that in the initial noise and confusion to get yourselves out. The terrorists will think it's one of their own if you use their weapon instead of your own. Nevermind that each round out of the AK (or AR) can be much more effective than one from your concealed weapon.

If you have no loved ones and decide you want to take the fight to them, unless you have 1 or 2 others who will literally 'have your back', you probably won't make it. Best you can do is take a few terrorists down while you lead a few civilians out to safety.

Just an opinion.

... or... IF you have access to a long rifle you can be accurate with, especially if you have someone who can cover your back, you could go into sniper mode and start taking the terrorists out one by one. Hopefully, they won't have grenades, and they won't have already wired up your hideout with explosives and bring the mall crashing down on your heads. Try to shoot from behind cover (protection), and not just concealment. Try to shoot (a few) and move to a new location. Try to shoot from well back and within your cover and don't stick the muzzle of your weapon out for all to see. That's just really bad form... and won't end well either. And if you're still alive and fighting, don't do what TV 'hero's' do and give up your gun when a bad guy tries to force you to give up.

Never make a deal with the devil, or heartless animals.

Their very actions have proven they have abandoned lawful civilized behavior, logical thinking and all human decency.

Only the ignorant, the stupid, and "baby kitty cats" give up their weapons to such animals thinking it will turn out well for all concerned.

I'm pretty sure you just described the script from Die Hard

[Cedar Park Dad]

I'm pretty sure you just described the script from Die Hard

Yippee kay yay

[mr surveyor]

Gecko45?