Intimidation and domination. Fear of death, lack of training, never believing that someone would stand up to them, and being totally surprised when someone does.
Many armed felons do not even have their gun loaded.
It is not uncommon for armed felons not to fire back.
It happens many times in defenses against crime. After all, that is the purpose of defending yourself, to stop the other person from firing back.
In addition, according to Dunn's version, which may or may not be true, the shotgun was in the back seat, and the driver was trying to get away. This makes it more difficult to use the shotgun.
"Don't those kids have the same right to self defense as the person shooting at them??? and yet they fired no shots."
They have the same rights to self defense. If Dunn had told them that he was going to kill them, and had then pulled out a gun, they would be justified at shooting at him to prevent him from killing them.
Three things have to be present to justify the use of deadly force:
Ability: The person has to reasonably believe that his attacker(s) have the ability to kill or severely injure them.
Opportunity: The person has to reasonably believe that his attacker(s) have the opportunity to employ the ability to kill or severely injure them.
Jeopardy: The person has to reasonably believe that his attacker(s) are willing to use that ability and opportunity to put his life or bodily integrity in jeopardy.
So then if the kids in the Durango had seen Dunn reach into his glovebox and take out his gun and load it, they would have been justified at that point in firing at him in self defense????