Edison, it isn't about being keyboard commandos or the like. It is about information. Mckown made poor use of information that he should have known long before he was shot at Tacoma Mall. If he actually understood his legal situation, then maybe he would not have stood up without a gun and yelled at the guy.
His story from his own words is posted here.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/5363616p-4853200c.html
Note that McKown apaprently had made up his mind long ago to defend others. In fact, the clasims he carried a gun to defend others (but not himself??).
I don't know which is tougher, trying to be able to pull a trigger to shoot somebody who is shooting people around you or being brave or stupid enough to confront the gunman without a drawn gun. Personally, McKown's story sounds a lot more like post hoc self glorification and excuses than reality. From what was shown on the TV of the mall and the positions of McKown and the shooter, much of the time the shooter would not have had people behind him that McKown was concerned about shooting with an errant round. So that doesn't fly. His claim of not knowing the law doesn't fly either. His statements that we was armed to protect others and that he tried to go after the gunman after he was shot seems to be for attention so that he can be a hero.
Here are my comments from here....
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189562&page=2&highlight=mckown
As near as I can tell from McKown's own statements, he should be the poster boy for NOT how to respond as a CCW person. In reading McKown's accounts, I am having trouble figuring out anything he did correctly. Heck, from his own accounts, it does not appear that the gunman even knew McKown had a gun as McKown was dropped by the gunman before he had a chance to draw it to use. Sure, he drew it early on, then tucked it in his belt because he didn't want to get in trouble for brandishing in the mall. This was legal information he should have known as a person licensed to carry.
You know, this is one of those examples where McKown probably had a little knownledge that screwed with his mind. McKown stupidly let a fear of legal consequence for brandishing override he thoughts to have the gun out and ready to use in a dynamic shooting situation. I will never understand why people are more fearful of potential/possible future minor legal problems than they are in fear for their own lives.
So the gunman shot McKown and continued to shoot McKown as McKown fell. It sounds like the gunman had better training than McKown and continued his followup shots until he felt McKown was neutralized.
I don't see where McKown or the other supposed CCW folks who didn't draw their guns either actually put up any resistence such that it caused the gunman to change tactics or stop shooting.
I really liked the part how he had planned to crawl after the gunman, but those other people stopped him. I am sure that after being shot several times and crippled, he would have been a force with which to contend, so much more power than before he was shot.