I recently came across a 39-page study—originally conducted in April 2025 and revised in October 2025—titled “Do Armed Civilians Stop Active Shooters More Effectively Than Uniformed Police?” by John R. Lott Jr. of the Crime Prevention Research Center and Carlisle E. Moody, Professor of Economics (Emeritus) at the College of William and Mary. It looks at real active shooter incidents across the U.S. and asks a simple but critical question:
Who actually stops these events—police or civilians?
And here’s the part that matters most for you:
👉 In many cases… it’s not the police.
👉 It’s the person already there.
That means moms. Women. Everyday people. People like you.
The Hard Truth No One Likes to Say Out Loud
We all want to believe that if something happens, help is seconds away.
But the reality is:
- Police are almost always responding after the event has already started
- Active incidents often unfold in seconds, not minutes
- By the time 911 is called, explained, dispatched, and arrives… it’s already happening
The study showed that armed civilians often stop these situations because they are already on-site.
Not because they’re superheroes. Not because they’re more trained than police. Because they’re present.
Why This Matters for Women (Especially Moms)
Think about your daily life:
- Grocery stores
- School drop-offs
- Church
- Playgrounds
- Big Box store runs (Walmart parking lots being the worst place to be)
- Sitting in your car scrolling your phone
These are the exact types of places where incidents happen.
- And in those moments:
- You’re responsible for yourself
- You’re responsible for your kids
- You’re responsible for what happens next
That’s not fear-based. That’s reality-based.
You Don’t Rise to the Occasion — You Fall to Your Level of Preparation
One of the biggest takeaways from the study isn’t just who stops these events—it’s why outcomes change.
The difference is often:
- Who noticed something early
- Who moved first
- Who didn’t freeze
- Who had a plan (even a simple one)
Prepared people don’t magically become brave. They’ve just thought about it before it happens.
What “Prepared” Actually Looks Like
This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being capable.
Preparedness can look like:
- Knowing where exits are when you walk into a place
- Sitting in positions where you can see more of your surroundings
- Keeping your head up instead of buried in your phone
- Having a plan for your kids (“if something happens, go here”)
- Practicing what you would actually do—not just thinking about it
And yes— it also means:
- Learning how to responsibly carry
- Training regularly (not just owning something)
- Not being as comfy as you want because you can’t carry in that outfit
- Building confidence through repetition
The Study Confirms What We Already Know
The research found that when someone is already on scene and able to respond quickly:
- Fewer people are hurt
- Fewer lives are lost
- The situation ends faster
That’s not political. That’s not emotional. That’s timing.
This Isn’t About Fear — It’s About Ownership
You don’t need to live scared. But you also don’t get to outsource your safety. Not completely. Not in the first moments that matter most.
Because when something happens:
You are the first responder.
Not the police. Not security. Not someone else. YOU.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do everything. But you should do something.
Start small but just be sure TO start:
- Pay attention
- Think through scenarios
- Get comfortable with being aware
- Build skills over time
- GET training!
- BE comfortable with your firearms
Because the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to be more ready than you were yesterday.
So, if you need help being more ready than you were yesterday.. or if you are finally serious enough to take your personal safety to the extremes it needs to be.. let me know, I am happy to help. Contact me for some training.
