It is things like this that make you think about who you are and what you would do in that situation. The columnist has apparently thought it through, instead of relying on his emotions to guide him. Emotions can get you killed. Thinking can keep you alive.
One down, a few hundred thousand to go. Only thing is, the MMMers and Sarah Brady's of the world make it difficult to get these few hundred thousand to start thinking.
The writer is still an idiot. He asks himself if he can shoot someone. Wrong question. Will he take whatever measures are required to eliminate the threat? is the correct question. That question implies a range of force, from: "Drop the weapon", to brandishing, to pointing, to shooting. He needs to take some classes.
/john