The National Rifle Association’s Wayne LaPierre argues that “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” but Dan McKown of Tacoma, Wa., who drew his gun in defense of others, paid a heavy price, reports NPR. Confronting in a shooter in a shopping mall, McKown was shot first. At a shooting range in Bellevue, Wa., where a company called InSights trains civilians to prepare for “active shooter” situations. instructor John Holschen thinks McKown may have been a victim of his own sense of fair play — especially when he gave the shooter a verbal warning.
“The right thing to do tactically in that situation, legally in that situation, and morally in that situation,” he says, “is end the shooter’s ability to keep shooting. And that means apply lethal force now.” InSights offers classes like “Tactical Handgun” and “Advanced Confrontation Simulations.” Most gun owners never get this kind of training. In fact, in some states — like Washington — a concealed-carry permit requires no training at all. And that’s why the prospect of armed civilian “good guys” can make police uneasy.