It’s way too early to guess what this creep would have done.
However, you don’t get a much “softer” target than a dark theatre full of people engrossed in a movie, especially when you first choke them with gas and are yourself dressed in black with body armor on.
Firing randomly, as he did, is easy. First finding your weapon, then finding the dark perp and aiming in the chaos is a tall order and one that would have put more people in danger in the crossfire..
Best thing to do in this situation was to hit the floor between the seats and call 911.
BS ... I know EXACTLY where my weapon is and I can see his muzzle flash. If he comes close and I have a shot I will take it. The target would not be so soft if 5-6 CCW holders
had their weapons with them. Thinking that the prep wouldn’t think twice about attacking an group of probably armed people instead of a group of probably NOT armed people is just plain stupid.
“Best thing to do in this situation was to hit the floor between the seats and call 911.”
Yeah, because waiting to get shot in the back of the head is so much fun...
I’ve been in tear gas. Not fun, but not impossible to get a shot off at close range. Hit in the leg, the gunman would have had limited mobility and more might have been able to escape. And at close range - 5-10 feet, particularly if he has turned to shoot someone - a head shot is very possible. At 5 feet, easy.
Why do you think the Israeli government allow West Bank and Gaza Strip residents to carry guns?
...and kiss your sorry, cowardly ass good bye.
I am sure, at least in this case, the perp would have been very distracted by any sort of incoming fire. He did not expect it, and he did not want to face it as evidenced by his surrendering without a fight.
>>First finding your weapon, then finding the dark perp and aiming in the chaos is a tall order and one that would have put more people in danger in the crossfire..
First finding your weapon??? Have you ever carried a handgun concealed? You know exactly where it is because 1) you practice drawing, aiming, and firing and 2) it is heavy and uncomfortable.
The dark perp is well-lit by the muzzle flashes. Furthermore, in a “dark theatre”, your eyes are adjusted and the screen throws off almost enough light to read by.
I agree that the average CCW holder with a concealable handgun should not pretend that he is Bruce Willis and go hunting the shooter, but if the shooter is coming at you with his rifle, it is far better to distract him with bullets than to just accept your fate and pray that the trauma team is really good.
Even with a vest, he is not Superman. Your bullets will hurt him and might make him turn away from you. You might miss center mass and hit him in the arm or crotch or leg or head too. I’d rather die with an empty firearm in my hand than a loaded one at home.
the best thing is for everyone to yell LETSROLL GET HIM! AND CRUSH HIM TO DEATH SLOWLY. (Well almost to death, got to leave something for the intelligence geeks to squeeze.)