Would you search for a shooter?

[WildBill]

Ain't my job, no siree!

After further review, the answer above is changed to a resounding, "maybe".

At our age, "Depends".

[Oldgringo]

Ain't my job, no siree!

After further review, the answer above is changed to a resounding, "maybe".

At our age, "Depends".

...and then, there is that. Khakis went out of style several years ago.

[dac1842]

Former LEO, SWAT sniper, been there done that, go towards it cautiously and keeping an eye out for on duty LEO in case they arrive.

[Wes]

I don't know if I'd run towards it until I experience it but I definitely wouldn't run away. Who knows if they can see me or what they're shooting. I'm going to take cover at the closest spot and look for the shooter. What happens next would really depend on the situation. I might move closer to try and see what's going on, I might slowly retreat to further cover, who knows really. I'd be on the phone with 911 the entire time tho.

[der Teufel]

I was in the Army. I've been shot at. It's neither fun nor funny. I honestly think the best I could do in such a situation might be to attempt a rear guard action. That is, have my weapon ready as I and anyone with me retreat, and hope we can get away safely.

[jbarn]

Unless I am in the immediate fire area, I am getting out. I do not need to be an area of concern for LE. They will have their hands busy enough and I am not going to cause more confusion for them.

[Chris]

I don't think it's in me to go the other direction. Every time I've searched a building for a potential bad guy, they could always end up shooting at me. Guys I've worked with have had just that happen. At least in a scenario like suggested, you know they're shooting, and you are better able to pinpoint a location before you make your move.

[ShootDontTalk]

I think the question needs to be clarified. For me, just the sound of gunfire might not bring any aggressive response. But if I turn the situation a bit and see people being shot 20 feet from me, execution style by that gunfire, am I still just going to sit on my hands and smugly say "It is all for me and mine and all the rest just burn"? For me the answer is a resounding no. I will try and stop it. Being alone, the cost may be higher than I would like, but the cost of a lifetime knowing I might have made a difference for those who did not survive would be worse. As in war, you probably won't be able to answer the question until you actually face it. Charles is correct.

[Abraham]

Does your CHL transform you into being a soldier?

Answer: NO

An LEO?

Answer: NO

If you heard shots and ran toward them would you know the circumstances you're getting into?

Suppose LEO's were having a shoot out with a criminal/criminals and now you show up / How are the LEO's to know you're a good guy?

Suppose gangbangers are having it out - or even a husband and wife? Do you really want to get in the middle of something like that?

The list of potential circumstances that tell you to stay the heck away is significant.

You aren't OBLIGATED (as you are in a car accident scenario whereby you must stop and render aid) to run towards the sound of gunfire to maybe help the good guys - if in fact there are any...

A CHL doesn't promote you to be an assistant to law enforcement.

[texanjoker]

I did once, shooting at a mall. I was SURE wishing I had a bigger gun. I was carrying a Walther 380 at the time. Ended up an OIS on a hostage taker. I covered as the 2nd officer cleared the room. Suspect was down and officer that shot was also down. As I get older and wiser I probably would, but after dodging bullets for a living, one gets cautious. Sometimes it's best to be the good witness and wait for back up to properly ID oneself before becoming a threat as well. I pray I'm never in that position again.

[ShootDontTalk]

"Does the CHL make me a soldier or LEO?" For me, that isn't the right question. Obviously the CHL gives me no more obligation to act than anyone else. The real question is, "Does the CHL make me any less responsible than anyone else?" Can I, in good conscience, watch others die if there is a possibility I can prevent it? The CHL gives me no special obligation to help, but it does grant me a powerful means to help, if feasible.

Surely all the questions arise in such a moment in our minds, "Should I get involved?" "What if??" They are myriad and somewhat confusing. But I am convinced that having a CHL means I did not pick up a firearm only to lay down my humanity. Even without the weapon, I will try to do something. Even if I fail to help, at least I tried. I pray earnestly that I never have to.

[Abraham]

ShootDontTalk,

Very well said.

Like you, if absolutely convinced I'm in the right I would step in to help.

There's the problem.

How to be certain I'm in the right...

That said, I think a very small percentage of CHLers are wannabe LEO's (or else why would CHL badges, sashes, etc. be on the market?) and would charge in - darn the torpedoes full speed ahead...

For the most part, not totally, as I indicated above, I view my CHL as something to allow self defense for me and mine.

As has now become a rather shopworn adage, but nonetheless true, a CHL is not a Batman license...

[Jaguar]

I live in the country, if I ran every time I heard gunshots, either to or from, I would be in better shape.

Dove season would be marathon sessions.

[The Annoyed Man]

Some people run to the sound of gunfire and some run away. The former are not foolhardy and the latter are not cowards. That's just the way people are hardwired. What I would do would depend upon the overall circumstances. Remember, Tex. Penal Code §9.33 allows people to defend 3rd persons.

Chas.

Exactly. OP qualifies his question as follows:

This is inspired from the other thread here recently about teachers being armed. But in any situation if you as a chl heard shots nearby and you had no one with you such as family to protect, would you seek out the source of the shots or go the other direction? You would of course be placing yourself in more danger if you did, but if you didn't you might read the news the next day that some crazy person had killed a dozen people and wonder if you could have stopped it.

The response for me is situationally driven. If am an armed teacher in an empty classroom, and I know that there are unprotected children in the area where the gunfire is coming from, then absolutely I go toward the sound of the gunfire. OTH, if I am an armed teacher in a classroom full of kids and the gunfire is coming from somewhere else, then I stay put and protect the kids I am with. If I am an armed teacher in an empty classroom, and gunfire is coming from an area where I know there are no children, then I'm getting heck out of there and moving toward safety.

There are lots of possibilities, and no one answer is the right one.

[CHLLady]

My first reaction to this question is to say no, leave it to the true heroes who run towards chaos, the US Marines and the police. BUT, with so many variables to this question, only God knows if He will call on me to act. I pray on this subject for sure. The one question that lingers for me, is if I hear gunfire IN the school and see children running, and I'm outside in the parking lot with my gun locked in the glove compartment?

Is a LEO/administrator allowed to authorize your entry into the school?