FLASH MOB DEFENSE

[Rastus]

Flash mobs are igniting across the nation right now....if you didn't notice you aren't aware.  People are being seriously injured at a minimum.  For instance, entire neighborhoods are being challenged to become single race neighborhoods by thugs and ethnic cleansing...is how far behind.  Do you know where the mobs are happening, in what type of neighborhood and by what demographic profiles? 

For the sake of discussion, let us say 1) the mob cannot be avoided and 2) you cannot outrun them.  How do you defend yourself for 3) a particular scenario of your choosing?  Also let us 4) not quibble over the motivations (motivations, not reasons...there is a difference...don't think social injustice focus on the setting) for a mob...they exist therefore they are.  Mobs have existed for a long, long time.  Next, please avoid 5) solutions on how to appease people to prevent mobs...mobs want it all.

Let the discussion begin.

[bulldog75]

If I am in fear for my life and it looks like I am going to be a deadman I am going to Ask who the leader is. When that idiot  identifies  themselves I will shoot that man in the face in front of the others and ask who wants to take his place. If they mow me down at that point oh well. One will be my dinner partner for tonight. Most mobs are brave until one of them gets it in front of the others. ( They are cowards hiding in the pack ). Few will stand their ground without the pack.

[alfsauve]

Smart mobs won't have weapons.  Not even clubs, much less knives or guns.  They'll depend on numbers to overwhelm any defense.   If someone defends themselves then the mob members will claim they were the victims. 

My first thought having watched some of the videos is that you have a choice of armed self defense, which will probably work against you in court, or hand to hand self defense.   The later of which probably won't work unless you're well trained, extremely vicious and lucky.

One of the famous gun writers said he carried a wad of ones to throw down for perps that just wanted the cash and to run.   He said that, unless really threatened, that was preferable to taking a life.   I also think that's a great diversionary move, whether to your next move is fight or flight.

[McGyver]

I consider the "mob" a deadly weapon in itself. A mob of punks wish to do nothing more than cause damage, harm, and mayhem, and force must be stopped with force. At the first glance of a gun I think they would ALL get scared and run, and those that don't are stupid and deserve to be shot, or at the very least, lose a knee-cap!

Sure, a couple will have the g'nads to stand there and DARE you to shoot them, and in that case, let 'em have it! I'd rather be judged by twelve, than carried by six!

[Solus]

Assuming no place to run...like a dead end alley...and a large mob running in to get me with my back to the wall.

I start shooting and take out any in the lead I can and start shouting  "RUN!!  It's an ambush!"

And keep shooting.  

Reload and see if this has opened any paths of escape.

[Sponsor]

[Ichiban]

It really depends on if I'm alone or not and, if not, who that other person/people is/are would make a big difference.  For this discussion I'll assume I'm alone.  Also, "flash" mobs typically aren't as big as other types of mobs and may be easier to get away from than, say, a mob that results from a sports event.  Hopefully you are at the edge and not deep into it.

Mobs aren't in it for the money so throwing cash at them will be of little value and may actually just chum the waters.  If flight is not a viable solution I'd find a corner or wall to protect my back.  At that point I would be fearing for my life and personal safety.  It would be a matter of survival and the rest will have to be sorted out later, if there is a later.  I might brandish and try to warn them back, but probably not.  I would then shoot two of the closest and most menacing.  Preferably head shots to splatter their pals a little and possibly give them notice that this is the real deal.  A short pause to reassess the situation - escape might still be possible.  Worst case I keep firing until slide lock or I lose the gun.  Then, if possible, I'd go to the knife.  Face it, at that point your odds of survival are minuscule and hopefully your actions would be able to spur some sort of crack down and possibly save others the same fate.  I don't intend to be the next Reginald Denny.  Bottom line - you're pretty much screwed no matter what.

[Majer]

Use the "5th Element" defense, Shoot the leaders and hope the rest run like the cowards they are. As said earlier the mob is a deadly weapon, they have arms and legs that they can beat or stomp you to death with. Hopefully by taking out a few the rest will flee, leaving you to tell the Police what happened.Just make sure to be the first to call 911.

[CJS3]

Pull a gun, start shooting, don't stop until you're out of ammo, the mob has dispersed, or you're dead. You only have to worry about consequences if you're alive. Be sure to find out if any of the dead were minors. If so, file suit against their families for lack of supervision.

[PegLeg45]

The mob would get a "flash" alright.....maybe even several "flashes"............. if the first seed didn't take root.

[tombogan03884]

Smok'em if you got'em.