08Oct04

From a friend in TX who works security at a big cocktail lounge:

"The State of Texas, in their infinite wisdom, imposed an insurance

requirement several months ago, stating that armed guards could not be emplo yed at drinking establishments without a 'special binder' which is, of course, extremely expensive. The State is obviously trying to get rid of armed gua rds. In response, our establishment immediately dropped armed guards. I submitted a proposal to upper management suggesting that, once our guard company had th e required insurance, I could train the new people. I pointed out that havin g no armed presence on property would be an invitation to armed robbers. Management agreed to allow one pistol on property (mine). However, I was n ot to wear it during business hours but would be allowed to 'access it ' in the event of trouble.

Sure enough, on the evening 24 Sept 04 we had an armed suspect enter the property and start shooting! The club was packed with patrons. I personal ly saw one of the muzzle flashes. Executing our plan, I quickly commanded employees, 'Gun on floor! Everyone behind lockers now!' T he office door flew open, and out GM burst out in a panic, yelling, 'Greg. He's shooti ng everybody. Take him out!' He had obviously forgotten that I had to 'a ccess' my own pistol first, as I was not wearing it, per his instructions.

Once armed, I rushed toward the sound of gunfire yelling, 'Police o fficers. Everyone on the floor now!' This proved useful, as most responded and dropped out of my line of sight. I commanded the DJ to turn up the house l ights all the way.

Next, I hear my guards yelling 'We've got him!' I ran to th e lobby and discovered that my guys had indeed captured someone. I said 'Where' s the weapon? ' They didn't know. Then, a frightened patron screamed 'I 'm standing on it!' Sure enough, she was. We recovered it immediately. The SO a rrived shortly thereafter and took charge. Shooter was arrested and charged with attempted murder, et al.

One of our female entertainers, an ex-girlfriend of the shooter, had been shot under her right arm. She was the only victim. She was transported to the local hospital. She survived.

Footnotes: Have a plan. Put it together and rehearse it regularly. Otherwise, you'll have to make it us as you go along, which, to a d egree, you'll have to do anyway. But, having a framework in place really helps

Don't underestimate the importance of loud, clear verbal commands an d challenges. Like everything else, verbal commands have to be refined and p racticed.

In any emergency, you much resist the temptation to give into panic. The ability to stay rational and move smoothly is a lifesaver.

Last point: anyone running their mouth about the 'thrill' of engaging in mortal combat is full of crap. I'm just glad to be alive."

Comment on the State of Texas: "An appeaser feeds the crocodile in t he hope that it will eat him last." Winston Churchill

...and on individual preparedness: "The winner of gunplay was the on e who took his time. I would shun flashy trick-shooting, grandstand play, as I wou ld poison. In all my life as a frontier peace officer, I did not know a singl e proficient gunfighter who had anything but contempt for the gun-fanner or t he man who shot from the hip." Wyatt Earp

/John