It would have to be a handgun then w/CCW. Nowhere in the US can you tote around an AK47 I do not think unless you are military, swat, or cop.
As for exploiting hypthetical opportunities...in real life there are none. The bad guys won’t let you have one
Probably true in most situations, never been in one thank heaven. Two men gunned down 55 dead and don't know how many wounded in that railroad terminal.
I don't want to find out but in that stairwell might have been a chance to tackle them, probably 4 there though.
It just bugs me that so few could kill so many with no one resisting or able to other than flee and hide.
Oh, by all means, i sympathize with your frustration. It would take so little to tip the scales away from the horrific success these terrorists enjoyed. Nevertheless, the scales lean stubbornly against us without at least some commitment to taking responsibility for ones own safety.
Also, you are absolutely correct on the choice of weaponry for personal protection. But you should bear in mind the advantages of an AK can be quickly negated by the knowledgable handgunner.