The Psychology of an Armed Attacker. Why You Cannot Reason With Them and Must Act

An armed attacker is not the same as an armed robber. An armed robber usually wants money or valuables and will often leave if they get what they want. An armed attacker, on the other hand, comes with one goal. To kill or harm as many people as possible. They are not there to negotiate or steal. They are there to cause destruction.

When we hear about violent attacks, many people ask the same question. Why would someone do this? What is going through their mind? And more importantly, could I talk them out of it if it happened to me?

The hard truth is this. By the time an armed attacker walks into your workplace, their mind is already made up. They are there to kill. They do not care about you, your life, or what you say. You cannot reason with them. You must act.

How an attacker thinks

An armed attacker is often in a highly emotional and unstable state. They may feel anger, hate, hopelessness, or a desire to get revenge. They may have planned this attack for days, weeks or even months. By the time they act, they are fully committed.In many cases, they have already accepted that they will die. Either by their own hand or by the police. This makes them even more dangerous, because they are not afraid of consequences. They do not care about going to jail. They are focused only on causing as much harm as they can.

Why you cannot talk them down

When a person reaches this state of mind, normal thinking does not apply. They are not going to stop and listen to reason. You can beg, cry or plead. It will not make a difference. They are already lost in their own violent mission. Hoping they will spare you is not a plan. Doing nothing is not a plan. The only real option is to act.

What action looks like

Here are a few key things to remember if you are ever faced with an armed attacker:

• Escape if you can. Know your exits. Move fast and do not hesitate.
• If you cannot escape, find cover. Lock doors. Block entry. Hide behind solid objects.
• Work with others if possible. Together, people can stop an attacker. Alone, the risks are higher.
• Use anything you can to distract or disarm the attacker. Spray, throw objects, create barriers.
• If you must fight, do it with commitment. The attacker is not there to negotiate. You must be prepared to stop them.

Anyone can act

You do not need to be young, strong or a trained fighter. Anyone can learn simple actions that improve their chances of survival. The most important thing is having the right mindset.

Accept that you cannot reason with this person. Accept that you must do something. That mindset alone can help save your life.

Final thoughts

In a violent crisis, knowledge is power. When you understand how an armed attacker thinks, you stop wasting time hoping to talk your way out of it. You start focusing on what matters. Acting to survive.At C.O.B.R.A Self Defense Corporate Training, we teach practical skills anyone can use in real-life attacks. No fancy moves. No need for strength. Just simple steps that give you a fighting chance.

Give your staff the knowledge and mindset they need. Because in a crisis, action saves lives.

Contact Us:

Email: info@cobradefense.co.za

Cell: 082 299 9117

www.cobraselfdefense.co.za