Crowded Bazaar Scenario

Here's a scenario that I've been going through in my head. Just to give you a little background, all of my fiancé’s aunts and uncles own some kind of store, jewelry stores, shoe stores, clothing stores, etc. and during the holidays my fiancé and I sometimes work at these stores to help out, because they can get pretty busy. These stores aren't in the best part of town and most of them are located in these bazaars with all kinds of other stores. These bazaars are normally filled with people, thus the problem.

So here’s the scenario:
My fiancé and I are working at her uncle's jewelry store. She's working the register and I'm helping another customer when I notice a shady looking character walking around the whole store, not looking at anything in particular, and I just get a feeling about him. All of a sudden he walks over to the register where my fiancé is till standing, pulls a gun and tells her to empty the register. I'm at the BG's 9 o'clock and as I see him draw, I draw my G23. Now keep in mind that this is a crowded bizarre. So I've drawn and I step to my left to get a better shot at his body, the problem is that were only about 10 feet apart, so when I fire on him that round is not stopping and there are people all over the place. What do I do, I mean he's got a gun on my fiancé?

What would you do in this situation?

If I felt that I needed to use lethal force I'd probably use my knife. It's less likely to hit anybody else other than the target. Ten feet apart would give me plenty of time to be right on top of the perp before he knew what was going on.

If I had the choice between a firearm and a knife, I'd take the firearm every day, but if there are so many people around that there stands a high chance of hitting them, I'd opt for the knife.

I'd love to say that I'd tackle the guy and he'd never get a shot off, but I just don't think that would be the case.

... I don't know... No matter what you do, since there is a huge crowd of people, and a loved one on the other end of the handgun; you are not in a "winning" position no matter what.

I hope to never be in that (or any) situation.

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All of a sudden he ... pulls a gun [on my fiancee] and tells her to empty the register. I'm at the BG's 9 o'clock and as I see him draw, I draw my G23. Now keep in mind that this is a crowded bizarre.

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At 10ft having drawn where the BG did not see me, with my loved ones on tap for (possible) execution, I'm taking out the BG. No hesitation. Bazaar or not. If I had the presence of mind to drop to kneeling, then bystanders outside the shop would be at reduced risk. With loved ones, I hope to have already gone through defensive basics and plans with them, so at a word she would be dropping to the ground. In short: no way would I allow a BG to harm my loved ones, if I could do anything.

Now, if my own gun could not be drawn quickly enough, or he already was covering us both, I'd probably wait for an opening/opportunity. A disabling injury prevents me from moving very quickly, hence I must rely on being able to "reach out" to touch someone. In my case, the firearm's about the only option.

then the talking time is over...and I would't announce "Hands up"!

Ten feet away? Gun on GF?... 8-10CM (depending on clip size)...skip the H...:nutkick:

OMO...not my GF...

ret

I live here in Vegas and do security and EP work we have drilled a active shooter in a busy casino and what we have come up with . If theres no other option but to shoot. Is for the (goodguy ) us to lower your stance to a kneeling or a prone because if you shoot for one of the postions the Trajectory of your round will more than likely go up after hitting the threat , instead of going thru the threat and into others.

I was just going to say "shoot", until I read the excellent suggestions above about dropping if possible, then shooting.

Good advice, it shows how little I know and demonstrates why I love this board.

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Originally Posted by randytulsa2

I was just going to say "shoot", until I read the excellent suggestions above about dropping if possible, then shooting.

Good advice, it shows how little I know and demonstrates why I love this board.

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I strongly second what Randy wrote. The more I read the posts the more I realize how much more I have to learn to carry safely and competently, and the more addicted I become to this Forum.

Ron

I think that kneeling and shooting up at the target makes the most sense. I love this forum because there's always a wealth of knowledge and you can always learn something new. Thanks for all of the posts guys

It would have a lot to do with the BG. If he was not paying attention to me, I would move to cover (if possible) get down, draw my weapon and if I had a clear shot I would probably take it at center of body mass. According to my training this event is a "good shoot". Sneaking up behind and tackeling the guy is to "Texas Ranger" for me and a good way to get my loved one shot. If he had us both covered and asked me to move towards her so to keep us both covered I would act as calmly as possible, give him what he wants the whole time taking a mental picture of him, his clothing etc. I would also be doing some praying real hard.

I agree with the other great suggestions. get down fire for center of mass. I think it would also be a good idea to go over things like this with your lady. Let her know that once she sees you draw she should probubly just drop to the floor as fast as gravity will take her, this will help her not get shot incase the round from your weapon does not imeditley incapasitate the BG and he is able to get a shot off, she will not be in the front and center path of that bullet.

What would I do?!?! If BG did not see me pull my gun, attempt to get behind him then let him know I was there with a gun. Drop down is a good / great manuver.

Situations like this are the reason I am taking a Defensive Hand Gun 1 class this month, . . . can't wait. Great instructor here in N Idaho, very lucky. As I have said before, as a newbie, I need the practice.
You can never be too prepared but it must be instinctual as you usually only have time to react, not think / plan / review / do-over.

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Originally Posted by ccw9mm

At 10ft having drawn where the BG did not see me, with my loved ones on tap for (possible) execution, I'm taking out the BG. No hesitation. Bazaar or not. If I had the presence of mind to drop to kneeling, then bystanders outside the shop would be at reduced risk. With loved ones, I hope to have already gone through defensive basics and plans with them, so at a word she would be dropping to the ground. In short: no way would I allow a BG to harm my loved ones, if I could do anything.

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Hey 9, just a question...where would you aim? Headshot or COM? Both?

My concern would be that a COM shot would not be sufficient to take away the danger posed to my fiance but that a headshot is a potential miss.

This is a good time to have a handgun loaded with a frangible round, like Glasers or Mag Safes.

Something that will dump its energy in the target and not overpenetrate.

:king:

When I was a restaurant manager, I carried a 640 Centennial loaded thusly for just that reason.

This is some great advice, so much knowledge is gathered here on this board.