Active Shooter Safety

Active shooter safety is the set of habits, plans and skills that help you and your family stay alert in public and act fast if a shooting starts. We gather the site's guides on mass shootings here, from the trends behind them to the decisions that keep you alive. Be prepared, not scared: a family with a plan reacts with confidence instead of freezing.

The rise in mass shootings in America has become a concerning trend that poses a real threat to public safety. These events have touched communities, schools, workplaces and public spaces. They matter to every family that shops, works, studies or worships in a crowd, which is nearly every family. Being prepared means having the knowledge, skills and plans to protect yourself and others if one starts.

Preparedness for mass shootings starts with active shooter training and a working knowledge of emergency response protocols. It also takes situational awareness that helps you recognize signs of danger early. Communication plans, known evacuation routes and practiced lockdown procedures help you react swiftly and decisively. Our guide on how to survive an active shooter walks through those choices in full.

Staying informed matters too. Studying past events for lessons learned shows how these incidents unfold. The long-term rise in gun violence puts them in context. Drills and simulations build the readiness to respond under pressure.

Individual preparedness works best alongside community-wide efforts. Better security, mental health awareness and violence prevention strategies all play a part. Collaboration among law enforcement, emergency responders, schools, workplaces and community organizations builds resilience and a culture of safety. Together, communities can create a safer environment for all.

Mass Shootings in 2026: A Reality Check

August 7, 2026
US mass shootings fell from a 2021 peak of 690 to about 400 a year by 2025 and 2026, still far above a decade ago. What the real numbers mean for you.

The Rise of Mass Shootings in America (2021)

October 4, 2021
See how mass shootings in America rose from Q1 2020 to Q1 2021, with monthly totals, state-by-state numbers and how the U.S. compares to other countries.

How to Survive an Active Shooter: Protect Yourself and Your Family

May 17, 2021
Learn how to survive an active shooter with practical steps to assess, run, hide, or fight, and stay safe when law enforcement arrives on the scene.

Epidemic: The Rise in Gun Violence and Escalating Shooting Deaths

February 14, 2024
Understand the rise in gun violence, from mass shootings to individual incidents, what may be driving it, and how to stay aware of your surroundings.

Why Preppers Care

Why Active Shooter Safety Matters to Your Family

A mass shooting can happen anywhere families gather, such as a school, a store, a concert or a place of worship. These events are rare for any one person, and they move fast. The first moments belong to the people on the scene. A family that has talked through a plan reacts instead of freezing. The rise of mass shootings and the wider escalation of shooting deaths explain why the subject belongs in your preparedness planning. The steps to protect yourself against an active shooter turn that concern into competence.

Frequently Asked Questions

About

Active Shooter Safety

Are Mass Shootings Becoming More Common?

Public concern has grown alongside reports of more frequent events, and the full picture of mass shootings in America traces the trend and what it means for families in public.

How Do You Survive an Active Shooter?

Surviving a shooting comes down to fast decisions made with a plan already in mind, and the full guide on how to survive an active shooter walks through each one.

Is Gun Violence on the Rise?

The rise in gun violence reaches well beyond mass shootings, and the record of shooting deaths shows how the broader trend has shifted over time.

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