II – Aware – Page 8

Criminals and Terrorists Overwhelmingly Select Gun-Free Zones For Mass Attacks in Public Spaces

Findings from the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) show that 94% of mass shootings over a 69-year period occurred in “gun-free zones,” locations where signs are posted stating weapons are not allowed to be carried on the property, which only responsible law-abiding citizens abide by and criminals see as magnets for their murderous intent since they know their killing will go unchallenged.

In recent testimony before the Maryland Senate, John R. Lott, Jr., CPRC president, said, “When Americans are allowed to legally carry concealed handguns, they stop about half the active shooting attacks in the US.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Brief Answers for People Who Are Against the 2nd Amendment ]

Continuing, he said, “It is hard to ignore that these mass public shooters purposefully pick targets where they know their victims cannot protect themselves. Yet, the media refuses to discuss that these mass murderers often discuss in their diaries and manifestos how they pick their targets. For example, the Buffalo mass murderer last year wrote in his manifesto explaining why he chose the target that he did: ‘Areas where CCW are outlawed or prohibited may be good areas of attack’ and ‘Areas with strict gun laws are also great places of attack.’ That is a common theme among mass murderers. These killers may be crazy, but they aren’t stupid. Their goal is to get media coverage, and they know that the more people they kill, the more media attention they will receive. And if they go to a place where their victims are defenseless, they will be able to kill more people.”

Church Security: Radio Communications Best Practices

Read this article to learn best practices in radio communications for church security teams When multiple people act as a security team for an activity or event, such as a church service, staying informed with each other is a vital part of the defense plan. Employing two-way radios with ear pieces and push-to-talk (PTT) microphones is a subtle, non-intrusive method to accomplish the goal. The Golden Rules of radio operation are

Clarity — speak slightly slower than normal and avoid shouting
Simplicity — use simplified language and shortcut phrases
Brevity — messages should be short and concise
Security — assume more people are listening than only the one to whom you’re speaking.

For effective radio communication, the following specific procedures should be followed. Identify first, by name, the recipient, then second, your name. Once they acknowledge your transmission, proceed with your conversation until it’s complete. Here’s an example:

Portable 5: “Base 23, this is Portable 5. Over”
Base 23: “Portable 5, this is Base 23. Over.”

Portable 5: “Base 23, I have returned from job 734. Are there any messages? Over.”
Base 23: “Portable 5, you have 3 messages. Over.”

Portable 5: “Base 23, I will select them at 1600. Over.”
Base 23: “Roger, Portable 5. This is Base 23. Out”

Protect Yourself from a Carjacking

Photo by Bastian Pudill on Unsplash Your wallet isn’t the only item criminals want to steal. Your car appeals to them too. Be prepared.

Read news articles about carjackings and mentally imagine what you would do in each situation
More than one person or a group generally commit these violent carjacking thefts.
Know your route. Avoid driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Keep alert while your vehicle is moving and while it is idling
Carjacking most often occurs in transitional spaces such as parking lots and gas stations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Active Self Protection Self-Defense Checklists and Acronyms ]

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense Tactical Driving Tips ]

Fuel your vehicle only during the day at gas stations in well traveled areas. Scan the gas station for suspicious behavior or loitering before you select a pump. While fueling, keep your car locked and keep scanning your surroundings to be prepared to take action (e.g., use the gas nozzle as a jet stream) should a vehicle or person approach you in a threatening manner.
Read More…

By semperverus
Posted on 11/10/202209/01/2024
4 Comments on Protect Yourself from a Carjacking

Self-Defense Tactical Driving Tips

Image of two hands on a car steering wheel Since the early 1960s the phrase “Drive Defensively” has been taught in driver education courses across America. It means the skill to drive a vehicle safely despite any conditions you encounter and the actions of others. In a typical defensive driving course, students learn crucial crash prevention techniques that include:

Scanning the roadway ahead and adapting accordingly to your surroundings
Expecting the unexpected
Being alert and distraction free
Employing the two-second rule for following distances
Knowing your vehicle’s stopping distance
Being aware of reaction distance
Looking through a turn to know what you’ll encounter
Preparing for environment hazards and vehicle emergencies
Driving with the commitment to be the safest driver on the road

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Simple Chart for Situational Awareness ]

Self-defense tactical driving takes the concept further, putting a motor behind the everyday proficiency of situational awareness. As always, distance is your self-defense friend. The greater the distance from a threat, the more time you have to avoid or prepare for it. Here are a few practical ways to defend yourself in your vehicle: