The original scenario could have gone really bad if one or more of the 'victims' had acted defensively.
Well, yeah, that's exactly my point actually.
Guns are not the only useful weapons in existence.
OK, please discuss other weapons that are useful against a violent criminal wielding a gun. I'm not being a smart-ass. I'm open to hearing what your ideas here. The next best idea I've heard here for countering a violent criminal is "stand still" or "duck".
Suppose one or more of the people involved had been ex-cops or recent ex-military?
An unexpected ending like that certainly would have been a puzzle for the lawyers to sort out, wouldn't it?
Yes, but I'll complete that line of thinking. I'm saying that guns are effective for countering a violent criminal, and that there should be no reckless security drills. Ever.