You probably could not escape the wall-to-wall coverage of the Charlottesville, Virginia violence that erupted between about 200 people protesting the removal of a Confederate war memorial and an equal number of counter-protestors representing a rather broad range of views.
When the driver of a Dodge Challenger plowed into a crowd, killing a young woman and injuring scores, things got really ugly. Clashes broke out, with both sides punching, kicking, throwing objects and using pepper spray. In one now widely circulated photo, a man is seen using what looks like hair spray as a makeshift flame thrower.
I’ve written about the hazards of such social unrest for those of us who carry firearms. Not only do such events often precipitate calls for gun control, but finding yourself in the midst of such chaos can put you at serious risk. Mobs, almost by definition, have little in the way of self-control. Violence begets violence. And reason is tossed to the wind.
Sometimes, things get so bad as to become simply impossible to control. The recent TV special 92 features some of the most frightening footage surrounding the 1992 L.A. riots, which went on for days. I recommend you watch it.
When we see this kind of out-of-control chaos, many of us in the carry community find ourselves wondering what we would do if we found ourselves in a similar situation. The options are limited.
For starters, the old saying is true: “The best way to survive a gunfight is … to not get into one.” Getting into a confrontation with one person is bad enough, but facing an angry mob consisting of five times as many assailants as you have bullets is a nightmare.
So, anything you can do to avoid such conflicts is a major win for you. Stay aware of news reports and bulletins. Smartphones can be helpful — I often get alerts of things like shootings, major car crashes, dangerous weather, etc.
Also, watch the political news on a regular basis. OK, it can be frustrating and annoying, but knowing well in advance about things like protest marches and rallies can help you stay well away from the areas where they will take place.
But what if you have to go to work (or leave work) and your place of business is smack dab in the middle of an area where protestors are gathering? This is entirely your call. I have a friend who let all of his employees leave early, with pay, just to avoid an impending demonstration which had involved blocking traffic and harassing motorists. If trouble is brewing, talk with your boss; he/she may be more sympathetic than you expect.
But no matter what, if you do find yourself in the middle of some social unrest, do everything possible to get out of it … fast. And should the worst happen, and you have to use deadly force, a good attorney will be more important than ever. And remember that in any investigation, ALL of your social media will be fair game.
Be safe.
