The Gun Counter

Skill Set: Target Indicators
by Tiger McKee

Which is the aggressor? What physical indicators led you to your answer?
Sound, movement, reflection, contrast, outline, and smell can all be target indicators. While going through our daily activities we need to pay attention to all these indicators, which could notify us of possible trouble. In a fight, where we know there is a high possibility of us facing more than one threat, we really need to pay close attention to these indicators. We also need to pay attention to the target indicators we create so we don't provide the threat(s) with details of our position or actions.

Being visually oriented creatures we rely on sight to tell us what is going on around us. If I see something suspicious I begin formulating my possible response in advance. When avoidance and escape are not options I'm mentally preparing for the physical fight that I anticipate is coming. The key to winning the fight is to be prepared in advance.

If I see sudden movement, especially where there shouldn't be any, then I check it out to determine if it could be possible trouble. I'm searching for a possible threat, the environment is muted colors, when I see a contrasting black shape that stands out against the rest of the environment. While scanning the hill I see an object that breaks the outline of the ridgeline. Then I see a reflection, which looks like light reflecting off a shiny pistol. Pay constant attention to your environment by visually scanning. When scanning don't look to see if everything is O.K., but be looking for something that would clue you into possible trouble.

Being visually oriented also means sometimes we neglect our other senses, which can lead to trouble. I'm walking in a dark parking lot when I hear someone running behind me. I need to know who it is, why they are running, and does it concern me. I'm in my office, when I feel vibrations in the floor, telling me someone else is in the building. When I walk into my house I smell cigarette smoke, which I know is out of place. Plus there have been a lot of people that I smelled way before I saw them.

Then you have your "spidey" sense, when you have a gut feeling that something isn't quite right, but you can't pinpoint what. Pay attention to this as well. I believe in these type cases your subconscious has clued into something that your conscious mind hasn't noticed yet. This sixth sense has saved many a life. Don't dismiss it, because that has ended up with a lot of folks in hard places.

You also need to try to limit the number of indicators you create. If you're trying to be quiet and knock a lamp off the bedside table they'll know where you are. Try to wear clothes that will blend into any environment. Don't stand in a lighted doorway peering out into the dark, which creates a perfect outline of your body.

Remember that just because there are target indicators that doesn't mean there is a threat. These indicators help us locate possible threats, but we never shoot at movement or noise without first identifying our target.

Fighting is about assessing the situation, and then responding appropriately. To do this efficiently means paying attention to all of your senses, including your gut feelings. Remember, always better safe than sorry.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of , a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org