Five Days Ago, I Got Shot at By Muggers. I Now Realize The Errors That Could Have Gotten Me Killed.

On Sunday, I was enjoying picnic/cookout food with extended family and friends in Forest Park, St. Louis…a stunningly beautiful area that’s typically safe. Shortly after arriving, my entire group heard a man screaming “help, help, I have a son” over and over, and tailing three young guys with their hoods up in 90 degree weather.

Assuming it to be a kidnapping, I took off running after the perpetrators (they were 30+ yards away, attempting to sprint in flip flops (more on that later).

I was in this beautiful location, still trailing by a good distance trying to catch up, when the three criminals ran into traffic, then turned around and fired a shot in my general direction.

Again, NONE of this happened where you would expect it to. I was standing in front of the Missouri History Museum at the time.

When they turned and shot, I could see none of the guys had kidnapped a baby/child, and this was a simple mugging. At that point, I turned away and let them go.

A half hour later, St. Louis Metro Police made a big show of rushing in with their lights and sirens blaring. But the reality is, if they would have been there within five minutes, that still wouldn’t have been soon enough to PREVENT any additional crimes. Sadly, the best the police can usually do is to take the report of what did happen, not stop crime as it’s occurring.

During this whole time, I was carrying a gun. I’m a good shot, and I’m more knowledgeable than most about the circumstances in which you’re legally allowed to defend your life.

But there are still made mistakes that could have gotten me killed in different circumstances.

Which is why I’m starting a second Substack…because I wasn’t ready. Not really. Just like you’re not ready for an extended power outage, or Civil unrest, or Venezualan gangs holding apartment complexes hostage.

This Psychological Phenomenon Will Get You Killed

The issue is…the human brain REALLY wants to believe everything is OK, even when you’re about to die.

Normalcy bias is a cognitive bias that can cause people to underestimate the likelihood of a disaster or the impact of a potential threat. This can lead to people failing to take preventive measures or coping effectively with a situation, even when in the face of imminent danger. 

Here are some examples of normalcy bias when things turn violent: 

Gunfire: People may stand up and look around instead of ducking for cover. 

Police: Officers may overlook warning signs of violence or unrest, thinking that everything will remain calm. 

Dangerous situations: People may not move to action, believing that the “normal” experience will overtake the abnormal one. 

So I think you should rush out and buy a gun? No. That will just lead to a local gun shop unloading something on you no one else wants. First, you need to learn.

Not just about firearms, but about mindset. Finding water if utilities go out. Bandaging a wound, whether from a car accident or gunshot.

I’ve long been interested in these topics, but I’m no ex-SEAL tactical bro with a bunch of war stories about shooting it out with ISIS (heck, I didn’t even shoot in…what is technically a gunfight).

But I think this is a good thing. Because we can learn this together. More than ever, my “normie” friends…Suburbanites who don’t hunt or go to the gun range, wanting to know more about self defense as well as survival.

So, follow along, if you like. Because I don’t want my last day to be from a random stickup, and I don’t want you to be helpless if human or environmental factors shut down all utilities and civil order temporarily in the town you live.

Subscribe (for free) and let’s learn this together.

The first full blog post will release on Sunday, September 1st.

-sth