You decide to act, which threat do you stop first?

[Sticks]

A small cell phone business 5 blocks from my house was robbed at gunpoint recently in the early afternoon. Two men in Halloween masks, both holding handguns.

BG #1 seems calm (not his first rodeo) and demanding the cash and used cell phones be placed in duffel bag.

BG #2 is visibly shaking and acting really nervous (definitely his first rodeo).

Small hole in the wall strip mall retail space. "L" shaped counter around 2 walls and open empty floor space. Both BGs in front of you and the register, about 3-5 feet apart. No other customers in the shop.

You decide to act, you are the clerk behind the counter, this is your small business, you are in fear for your life. Who is your first target and why?

For the sake of argument, the register faces one side wall, and it's brick - minimal worries about whats behind your target.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[royal barnes]

You have decided to act....................Is your life worth whatever they are going to take when the odds are two to one and both have their guns out ? There is always a chance that one or both will decide to shoot but not probable under your scenario.

Now to answer your question as asked. As Josie Wales said,"The one with the the crazy eyes".

[Sticks]

OK. Crazy eyes may freeze, or pull the trigger prematurely. Calm guy is a bit more focused on the situation.

Maybe ask the calm BG to have his twitchy partner either put the gun away, take is finger off the trigger, or point it elsewhere?

Wouldn't engaging in that type of dialogue throw them out of there OODA (?) loop and present an opportunity?

[goldshellback]

'You have decided to act............'

Alrighty, I go for the closest one. Crazy-eyes or calm, it's game-time and neither are 'expecting' a gunfight. Turn on the lights and the vermin scatter. I have surprise going for me so I'm taking aimed shots, not spraying 'n praying. When in a hurry, take your time. That advice sounds good but this is a very fluid and dynamic situation......don't shoot customers or passers-by

[Gene83]

Based on the scenario as written, I would go for the one who is calm first. A person who is visibly shaking may or may not hit his target when and if he fires. The calm guy appears to be the one in charge and may become rattle himself when the shooting starts. If he gives up the fight and runs, the one who is already shaking will follow him. The person who is already visibly shaking will not become calm when the shooting starts.

I really don't like the odds of one person against two, shaking or not, but since it was written that I had already decided to act, that's the way I would play it.

[Mike1956]

I have two guns, one for each of you - YouTube

[All_Business]

"Power is when you have every justification to kill someone, and then you don't." But the one thats shaking would be more likely to give up when doo-doo hits the fan. When you're under stress this will most likely be a thought process that simply will not happen. rooty tooty aim and shooty

[HKinNY]

I am going for the calm one. After he see the lead BG dead he is either (a) going to drop the gun and head for the door (b) fire 1 shot just because his finger was on the trigger and then head for the door. Should not be to hard to find later on follow the trail of poop running down his leg.

[dukalmighty]

MOVE as I draw putting BG1 between me and BG2 shoot BG1 and as he drops continue firing into BG2

[ErnieNWillis]

I'll give them what they ask for. I'm not getting into a shootout unless I have a gut feeling they're gonna shoot me first. Now when they turn to exit the store.........................

[Billspider]

Under this situation, acting will more than likely get you killed.
Your odds of surviving are slim with one gunman, almost non exiisting with two guns trained on you.

[Hiram25]

Closest one to me when the party starts!

[gottabkiddin]

Give BG # 1 the new BlackBerry cell phone and while he's trying figure out why there's no service, shoot BG # 2, then tell BG#1 he can keep the phone, but he needs to drop his gun.


Seriously though.. Like it's been said.. Two guns pointed at you, and one is in the hands of a highly nervous individual... Give um what you think will do to get um outa the store and leave everyone unharmed. Hopefully you're insured and a few hundred dollars and a few run of the mill cell phones aren't worth getting killed over IMO.

[sd976]

Closest one to me when the party starts!

Lets get this party started! LOL.

Im going for the closest, who is probably the calm one any way.

[Guest1]

Too many variables,it's a trick question!