Should You Immediately Lie on the Ground in an Active Shooter Incident?
In an active shooter incident, the safest first move depends on your situation, but official guidance emphasizes Run, Hide, Fight instead of automatically lying down.
The Direct Answer
No, you should not automatically lie on the ground in an active shooter incident involving firearms. Official civilian guidance from agencies such as the FBI centers on Run, Hide, Fight. That means you should first try to escape if it is safe, hide and barricade if escape is not safe, and fight only as a last resort if your life is in immediate danger.
Lying on the ground may make sense in a few very specific situations, such as when police arrive and instruct everyone to get down, or when you are trapped in direct gunfire with no safe movement available. But it is not the universal first step.
The safest action is the one that improves your chance of survival in that exact location, not a one-size-fits-all reaction.
Why Lying Down Can Be Dangerous
Immediately lying on the ground can be dangerous because it may stop you from escaping when escape is possible. It can also leave you exposed in open space, make you easier to reach, and reduce your ability to move toward an exit, locked room, or solid cover.
Active shooter incidents are fast and confusing. The right action depends on where the attacker is, where exits are, whether you can move safely, and whether there is a place to hide. A person in a hallway may need to run. A person in a classroom may need to lock and barricade the door. A person face-to-face with the attacker may need to fight.
That is why official guidance emphasizes decision-making, not freezing in place.
Run If You Can Escape Safely
The FBI’s Run, Hide, Fight guidance puts running first because getting away from the attacker can remove you from danger. If there is a safe path away from the gunfire, move quickly and cautiously in the opposite direction.
When running:
- Leave belongings behind.
- Keep your hands visible.
- Warn others if you can do so without slowing your escape.
- Do not run toward the sound of gunfire.
- Keep moving until you reach a safe location.
- Follow police instructions when officers arrive.
Running does not mean acting randomly. It means using exits, windows, stairways, or safe routes to create distance from the attacker.
Hide If You Cannot Safely Run
If escape is not safe, hiding may be the best option. A good hiding place should be out of the attacker’s view, difficult to enter, and away from open lines of fire.
If possible:
- Lock the door.
- Barricade with heavy furniture.
- Turn off lights.
- Silence phones.
- Stay low and quiet.
- Move away from windows and doors.
- Make a plan in case the attacker enters.
Hiding is not the same as simply lying down. A person who hides should try to create a barrier, reduce visibility, and make the room harder to enter.
Fight Only as a Last Resort
Fighting is the last option, used when your life is in immediate danger and there is no safe way to run or hide. The FBI presents fighting as a survival action, not as a first choice.
If fighting becomes necessary, the goal is to disrupt or stop the attacker long enough to survive. People may need to act together, use improvised objects, control the weapon, or create enough resistance to escape.
This is frightening to think about, but the point of preparedness is not panic. The point is knowing that if running and hiding are impossible, doing something may be safer than doing nothing.
When Getting Low or Lying Down Might Help
There are limited moments when getting low or lying down may help. If bullets are passing through an area and you cannot safely move, getting low behind cover may reduce exposure. If police enter and tell everyone to get on the ground, follow their commands immediately.
The key difference is that lying down is situational. It is not the default response at the start of every active shooter incident.
| Situation | Better Response |
|---|---|
| Safe exit nearby | Run away from danger |
| Exit blocked | Hide, lock, and barricade |
| Attacker entering your space | Fight as last resort |
| Police give commands | Follow instructions immediately |
What to Do When Police Arrive
When law enforcement arrives, officers may not stop to help injured people right away. Their first task is usually to stop the threat. Keep your hands visible, avoid sudden movements, and follow instructions.
Do not hold objects that could be mistaken for a weapon. Do not run toward officers unless directed. If you know where the attacker is, provide short, clear information when safe: location, description, weapon type, and number of attackers if known.
How to Prepare Before an Emergency
Preparedness does not mean living in fear. It means noticing exits, understanding emergency plans, and knowing the basic options before a crisis.
In schools, workplaces, churches, theaters, and public buildings, take a few seconds to notice:
- The nearest exits
- Secondary exits
- Rooms that can lock
- Objects that could barricade a door
- Places with solid cover
- How to silence your phone quickly
Small awareness can help you make faster decisions under stress.
Final Takeaway
In an active shooter incident involving firearms, you should not immediately lie on the ground as a universal rule. The standard civilian response is Run, Hide, Fight: escape if you can, hide and barricade if you cannot escape, and fight only as a last resort.
Getting low may help in some situations, but survival depends on judging the environment quickly and choosing the option that gives you the best chance to get away from danger.