[GUIDE TO A FIREFIGHT] ... for when they cannot be avoided

[freshoffthefarm]

TO: [REDACTED], [REDACTED]
FROM: Annie Walker, CIA
RE: AGENCY GUIDE TO FIREFIGHT
CC: [REDACTED]

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.
2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is pricey.
3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
4. If your shooting stance is good, you’re probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.
5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.

6. If you can choose what gun to bring a gunfight, bring a long gun, and a friend with a long gun.
7. In ten years, nobody will remember the details, such as your caliber, stance, or tactics. They will remember who walked away after the gunfight was over.
8. If you're not shooting, your ass should be reloading.
9. Accuracy is relative; most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on “pucker factor” than the inherent accuracy of the shot fired.
10. Use a gun that works EVERY time. Remember, “All skill is in vain when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket.”
11. Someday, someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to a bloody pulp with it, because it’s empty.
12. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
13. Have a plan.
14. Have a backup plan, because the first one will fail.
15. Use cover and concealment as much as possible. The visible target should be in FRONT of your gun.
16. Flank your adversary’s ass if possible. Protect your own.
17. Don’t drop your guard.
18. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.
19. Watch their hands. Hands kill. Everyone else, keep your damn hands where I can see them.
20. Decide to be aggressive enough quick enough.
21. Speed counts. The faster you finish the fight, the less you get shot.
22. Be polite. Be professional. But be sure to have a definite plan to kill everyone you meet.
23. Be courteous to everyone; friendly to no one.
24. Your number one option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
25. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a 4 or a 9. The bigger the number, the bigger the hole!
26. Make sure everyone else expects you to start shooting first.
27. Never leave anyone behind.

Comments

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I think the Agency would disagree with number twenty-seven if it were your colleagues, not if it applied to your enemies.

[freshoffthefarm]

Having been on the receiving end of that? I'm well aware.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I've been in a situation where number one applies. It's not a good situation.

[freshoffthefarm]

Any situation where there's an actual firefight is not a good situation.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

You have a point.

[freshoffthefarm]

How about you try to avoid them in the future?

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

As long as you do the same.

[freshoffthefarm]

One of us is a field agent, the other has a cushy desk job.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I'd feel better if you did your best to avoid them.

[freshoffthefarm]

I don't purposely walk into them. Maybe you don't remember my first day?

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I know, but they seem to find you.

*so yes he does remember her first day*

[freshoffthefarm]

I remained bullet-free for a while.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

A little while.

[freshoffthefarm]

It's okay. I'm okay. I always am.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

You better be.

[freshoffthefarm]

That sounds only vaguely threatening.

Relax. Have I ever come back in a way that wasn't fixable with some rest and a few... bandaids?

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I'd really like to never see "Agent Walker shot." In a report I have to read.

[freshoffthefarm]

So, as long as you don't have to read the report...

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

No, as long as you don't get shot.

[freshoffthefarm]

I'll be fine. You worry a lot.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I worry about you a lot.

[freshoffthefarm]

You do and I love you for it. I really do.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

I love you too.

[on-jennys-terms.livejournal.com]

The only thing missing is how it never ends well when you're outnumbered.

[freshoffthefarm]

Pretty much a given. Hence the 'bring all your friends'.

[on-jennys-terms.livejournal.com]

Even then. 5-2 is only marginally better than 5-1.

[freshoffthefarm]

Very marginally. Try to make it so you're the '5'.

[on-jennys-terms.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I end up being the '1'.

[freshoffthefarm]

Never a good thing. I've been there.

[on-jennys-terms.livejournal.com]

You must have done something right, though.

[freshoffthefarm]

More than once I've gotten lucky. I've also had a guardian angel or two watching my back and someone to risk everything to make sure that I come home.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

I like rule number one a lot. Though, I think in some cases it should be modified to 'Bring a BIG gun.'

[freshoffthefarm]

That's kind of like number 6, though number 25 fits into that as well.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

[Laughs] I rarely would said this...but I find you adorable.

[freshoffthefarm]

That's a new one.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

I am sure it is. Your list is...wonderful.

[freshoffthefarm]

Thank you. It's necessary sometimes.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

I've got to say number 7 is a favorite.

[freshoffthefarm]

I'm a fan of number 11.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

Love number 11. Love.

[freshoffthefarm]

They're all things to keep in mind, definitely.

[dealing-death.livejournal.com]

....Wear the proper shoes? No need to scuff good heels.

[freshoffthefarm]

Or leave them behind or break them off or have them incinerated.