Preparedness in the Face of Tragedy

Once again, we are confronted with tragedy. A vibrant young life was taken and many more could have been injured - people simply gathered in an energetic rally, celebrating a common political cause. An innocent life lost, others changed forever. The question we all ask remains: What can we do? Can anything be done?

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of this young man, and to a school community forever impacted by this senseless act. Utah Valley University is about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City and is the state’s largest public university, with nearly 47,000 students. These students may never feel safe again. The shooter fired from a building only 200 yards away. Mark my word, the individual responsible was clearly disturbed, driven by malice and evil. At some level, the “why” matters less than the fact that it happened - and that it continues to happen. The real challenge is to ask ourselves whether something could have been done to prevent it and resolving to seek solutions.

Predictably, within moments of the event, voices rose from politicians, pundits, and media figures with the usual refrain: calls for gun bans, confiscation, or new laws. These knee-jerk reactions are nothing new. And too often, once the news cycle passes, so does the urgency - leaving real problems unaddressed.

The truth is that lawful gun owners make up the overwhelming majority of the armed citizenry. Studies show that the vast majority of crimes committed with firearms involve illegally acquired weapons, not guns purchased lawfully by responsible citizens. Most so-called “crime guns” are stolen or otherwise diverted, not bought and carried by those who obey the law. It’s not the millions of responsible carriers we should fear, but the small fraction who steal or abuse firearms.

Almost without exception, active killers are later identified as unstable, radicalized, or otherwise deeply troubled. Some even leave rambling manifestos that attempt to justify their evil. But while such documents may provide insight for researchers years later, they rarely offer practical solutions in the present.

So, what do we do now? If you ask ten people, you’ll get ten different answers. My answer is somewhat

simple: prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best. Seeing as how hope is not a good plan, preparation is essential.

Practical Steps for Readiness

· Stay Aware. Situational awareness is not paranoia; it’s paying attention to your surroundings.

· Have a Plan. Talk with your family about what to do in a crisis. Practice if necessary.

· Know how to save a life. Take a Stop the Bleed class. Learn CPR. Practice and stay current.

· Go Armed. If legally possible, carry a firearm. If not, carry another tool - pepper spray, a flashlight, or even a defensive keychain. Something is better than nothing.

· Get Educated. Learn from reliable sources who understand both the law and the realities of violence.

· Get Trained. Education tells you what to do; training teaches you how to do it under stress.

We may never eliminate evil. History has shown us that people intent on harm will find ways to cause it. By preparing ourselves - mentally, physically, and tactically - we can limit the damage, protect our loved ones, and stand ready when seconds count.

Preparedness is not fear. It is responsibility. And it may one day save your life.

BE SAFE • BE EFFECTIVE • BE READY