Active resistance should only be the immediate response to an active shooter incident as a last resort when evacuation and hiding are not possible, and the individual is in imminent danger. The primary recommended responses are to run (evacuate if possible) and hide (find a secure hiding place out of the shooter's view). Taking active resistance or fighting against the shooter is advised only when there is no other option for survival and life is directly threatened. The standard approach advocated by authorities like the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement is summarized as "Run, Hide, Fight":

• Run: Evacuate the area if there is a safe escape route.
• Hide: If escape is not possible, find a secure hiding place, lock doors, silence phones, and stay quiet.
• Fight: Only as a last resort, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter using aggressive actions, improvised weapons, and commitment to defend oneself.

This is because active shooter situations are unpredictable and dangerous, and the goal is to minimize harm by escaping or hiding before engaging physically with the shooter. Law enforcement is typically deployed immediately to stop the shooter as quickly as possible, often arriving within minutes, so survival until help arrives is key.