We recommend that you distance yourself from places with high rates of violence. However, we recognize that this is not always possible. Consider the following information to be suggestions and strategies for reducing your risks when you are confronted with violent surroundings.
Know where you are. If you are in a violent city, you need to plan more before you leave from your home base. It is necessary to establish other bases between where you are and your other frequent destinations, wherever you are gonna be many times over. Do this so that you can plan your trips during the time periods when violence is less likely to happen.
Depending on whether you are in a small town, the suburbs of a large city or rural area walking between farm houses, you may be more or less likely to experience violence. In America, blacks and Hispanics between 10 and 24 years old are more likely to die by homicide than other racial groups, according to the latest data (CDC, 2021). 86% of those who are killed are killed by firearms.
Without a weapon: When you are confronted with a situation where you have potential violence in your surroundings and lack a weapon, consider the following options:
1) assess the situation; 2) If you can leave in a direction that is safer, then do so. If you cannot leave and you have good cover, then you are invisible to the other or others, and you able to defend yourself from shots or explosives, then it may be the best idea to wait there until an opportunity for escape presents itself. So, remain vigilant. 3) If you can get behind something without being injured, like a wall or the front tire of a vehicle, then do so to cover yourself from shots fired.
Situation and strategies for armed civilians trying to prevent violence: When you are confronted with a situation where you have potential violence in your surroundings and you have a weapon, consider the following options:
1) assess the situation; 2) If you can leave in a direction that is safer, then do so; If you cannot leave and you have good cover where you are invisible to the other or others and able to defend yourself from shots or explosives, then it may be the best idea to wait there until an opportunity for escape presents itself; 3) If you can get behind something without being injured, like a wall or the front tire of a vehicle, then do so to cover yourself from shots fired.
4) Absolutely, never shoot before you assess the situation. Shooting first is typically a bigger risk to yourself. It is illegal. It is unethical. It is unprofessional. It is a reckless act of endangerment to both yourself and others.
