What is the primary goal of the guiding principles for an active shooter response?

The primary goal of the guiding principles for an active shooter response is to stop the killing. In an active shooter situation, law enforcement's foremost priority is to neutralize the threat as quickly as possible in order to prevent further loss of life. This approach emphasizes the urgency of responding effectively to minimize harm to innocent individuals who may be caught in the incident.

While rendering first aid to the wounded, identifying the shooter's location, and evacuating individuals are all important actions that can follow the initial response, they are secondary to the primary goal of addressing the immediate threat. Stopping the shooter is essential to ensure the safety of potential victims and to regain control of the situation, making it the most critical objective during such an emergency.