There's a family-owned 7-11 within walking distance to my home. Once in a while, late at night (like now) I might walk over for smokes or a carton of milk. I've thought about this more than once.
In California, of course, a CCW permit is nigh unto impossible to get in urban areas. Still there are problems.
- unless you are along the sides of the store, your point of aim will intersect those nice big windows out front. Anyone in the parking lot? How do you know at night?
- Are others near the counter? How many might panic and run you over as they flee?
- Watching many videos of robberies, the BGs begin wtih brutal violence in about half the cases. The remainder show typical pre-crime behaviors.
- Customers and bystanders aid the victim(s) a small percentage (<10%) of the time.
- In multiple BG robberies everyone in the store is threatened and the BGs "control" the store during the robbery.
- When it goes down, they show few, if any signs, of being deterred by cameras, customers, or alarms.
- They tend to flee when resistance is performed violently against them, with a firearm or when a large aggressive dog suddenly appears.
Now... If I'm in my local 7-11 and Mr. Thug walks in and starts shooting at the clerk, my immediate reaction will be to conceal myself, draw my weapon and assess the situation. My reaction following will depend on my location, distance, presence of other innocents and what he's done/doing to the clerk.
Presuming good luck - my position is good, Mr. Thug is focused on the clerk's actions and I'm armed, Mr. Thug is likely to develop a serious case of magnum heartburn.
No, I will not attempt to "arrest" him (not my duty), nor shout for him to drop his weapon or "freeze" (Hollywood). I pray that I act swiftly and decisively enough to prevent him from causing further harm.
In all other situations it will be a case of taking the action believed to be the best at the time. For instance, if he's entered the store, pretends to be a customer and doesn't draw until at the counter, hasn't fired and there are others in the store, prudence dictates holding your fire unless you are
postive you can stop him without injuring others or starting a firefight.
In the event of multiple thugs you may be forced to fight at the point of initial contact with an armed thug. Surprise and determination will be your only advantage.
Lastly, there may be circumstances that dictate that you do nothing except be a good witness and stay alive.