The role of free passage distance (FPD: the distance between the avalanche region and surface detectors) in influencing the relative numbers of energetic electrons and gamma rays in Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements (TGEs) is reconsidered and focuses on the contrast between long (>100 m) versus short (<100 m) FPDs, respectively. Estimates of FPD are based on information from published balloon soundings of the electric field, from published profiles of radar reflectivity in TGEs, and from analyses of Japan winter storms. All these data sources support typical values of FPD >100 m. Neither the shortcomings of present particle detectors in distinguishing electrons from gamma rays, nor the dominance of gamma rays over electrons, are sufficient evidence to deny the robust presence of Compton electrons at FDP values greater than 100 m that have also been shown in earlier simulations as well as the present Comment. Problems with having sustained electric fields of breakeven magnitude within 100 m of the Earth's surface (in relatively rare TGEs) are identified. The resolution of these problems, and the prominent nocturnal presence of these rare events, may possibly be explained by the descent of a strong field region in a collapsing storm, and by a low cloud base that intercepts and immobilizes fast corona ions, thereby preserving the intense electric field. Plain Language Summary Thunderstorms are capable of accelerating electrons to large energy by a process called electron runaway. This process is often confined to the cold portion of the thunderstorm at higher altitude where ice particles are available to separate electric charge to produce the necessary electric field, and where so‐called avalanche electrons are present. As a result, the high field region in the storm is removed from the ground where measurements of energetic radiation are usually undertaken to diagnose electron acceleration aloft. Gamma rays are produced when the energetic electrons are decelerated in coming in contact with heavy nuclei in a process called bremsstrahlung. Electrons unaided by strong field have short range in the atmosphere: tens of meters and less, whereas gamma rays have larger range (hundreds of meters). Accordingly, energetic electrons cannot be expected far (>200 m) below the high field region. One possible scenario for reducing this gap is the descent of strong field to near cloud base in a collapsing storm and the protection of field dissipation by the capture of small corona ions by cloud droplets. Evidence from several research areas in the literature is used to support the arguments in this paper. Key Points Energetic Compton electrons are an inevitable accompaniment of the gamma ray flux of Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements (TGEs) but in numbers too small to be readily distinguished from the gamma rays with typical detectors The observations of avalanche electrons in TGEs is surprising, given the small free passage distance (FPD) (<50–100 m) required One suggested scenario for creating small FPD is the lowering of negative charge in storm collapse and the capture of fast corona ions by cloud droplets