On 7 September 2017, Eric Arnold opened
fire on police officers after officers stopped him in connection with the
murder of Arnold’s former girlfriend and her daughter. Arnold exited his pickup
and began firing at officers as he advanced toward them. His bullets struck two officers, one in his
vest and another in the left leg. Police returned fire and Arnold died at the
scene.
One of the first things soldiers
learn in basic training is the difference between concealment and cover. Concealment hides you from visual observation
but provides no ballistic protection.
Cover also provides concealment; however, cover provides ballistic protection;
in other words, cover stops bullets. The number one rule of a gunfight is don’t
get shot and as we see in this VIDEO, failing to use cover and standing in the
open is a great way to get shot.
In the
video, we see police officer standing behind an open door of a
police SUV that is parked parallel (as was the police cruiser) to Arnold’s pickup.
His lower legs and a significant portion of his upper body is exposed. As Arnold exits the pickup, he begins walking
toward this officer firing as he advances. My analysis of the video indicates
that Arnold fired six shots with the 6th shot shattering the window
and striking the police officer behind the SUV door in his bullet resistant
vest. A bullet that
passed through the SUV door or the gap between the door and the vehicle stuck
another officer in the left leg. Five police officers fired 36 rounds,
hitting Arnold 14 times, at least 10 bullets strike the pavement near Arnold, with
the other 12 rounds unaccounted for in the video. Arnold died at the scene.
Remember, all cover is concealment
since it protects you from bullets and hides you from sight; however, concealment
is not cover. A concrete wall, a telephone pole, a car’s engine block; these
are all things that provide ballistic protection from pistol and many rifle
rounds. Concealment however does not stop bullets. Car doors, wooden fences, hollow
core doors, window glass, bushes, etc. are all things that are unlikely to stop
a bullet. All concealment does is hide
you from sight.
Come out and shoot with us on the 2nd Sunday
each month at Cedar Ridge Range in San Antonio.
For
more information go to: www.sensibleselfdefense.com