[Glenn E. Meyer]

It is easy to opine that if there was a gun involved, you would do X, Y or Z.

I suggest that if one is a serious student - one finds and takes FOF courses that use Sims, Code Eagle, Airsoft or the like. SgtLumpy has it right.

You never know what would happen. There is an assumption by folks that:

1. You will make the magic one shot stop - never miss, never hit an innocent.
2. The BG just doesn't shoot you when you announce your challenge
3. Another good guy doesn't shoot you.
4. Oops, the BG has a backup you didn't know about. Just standing around and shoots you.

I've seen it all and been the bad guy and the good guy.

Such courses teach you as Sgt said, that it can go wrong. It also has the benefit of stress inoculation so that you don't screw up (which you might do anyway).

Unless you are almost 100% sure that YOU are at risk, most trainers would say sit it out. Money isn't worth it.

Then, we get in the ever popular argument of whether you should save others at the risk of yourself. Folks will pose glib answers. We done that into the dirt.