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Along the what if lines:

I would personally have my weapon drawn if I decided to confront a knife wielding actor. By confront in this situation, I mean yelling at him from a distance.

I recall from some reading, I think it was: “In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection" or "Stress fire" by Massad Ayoob, back in the 80's that a Knife represents a SERIOUS THREAT that Hollywood has understated in our minds.

Someone here can surely quote the facts and figures but a knife wielding bad guy can cover some 25 feet or so in, 3-4 steps in a second or two is all. Now, how long does it take YOU to draw and get off one aimed round from concealment?

Personally, I feel the adrenaline dump from just seeing the violent actions will degrade my coordination, create tunnel vision and cause what could be a fatal delay in my draw speed. Therefore I would not yield my advantage of "surprise"….I would at least have my weapon drawn and possibly down at my side or a low ready before I said anything. Perhaps the sight of my weapon along with a loud command might get him to withdraw. At that point, the woman is out of danger; I have not had to use deadly force and all that that will imply. Lawyers, investigations, money, perhaps a lawsuit, or God forbid one of my rounds finds an innocent bystander on another aisle. However if he does come my way, I’ll be prepared to act.

Be Safe!

Mike1951 wrote:It occurs to me that a shopping cart would make a fine offensive or defensive weapon. If she was chasing him, running a cart up on his heels would have taken him down.

If he gets up, the cart should keep him at more than arm's distance.

Now this is what I am talking about....thinking outside the box. While trying to imagine how I would react, I had already developed tunnel vision and not thought of the cart.....

It would help buy time if he came at you as well....

Lets play what if?

So you are on the next aisle over and hear the assault going on. You carefully stick your head around the corner to get a better look. Man has a knife to a woman's throat and is trying to grab stuff away from her.....What do you do next?

Dial 911 and hand the phone to your wife while you draw your weapon and wait for the guy to release the woman with the knife?? Then confront him?
Draw down on the guy and and tell him to drop the knife?
Scan the area for accomplises and then do one of the above?
Use a well place shot to the head to neutralize the threat? (not me)

Some parameters to consider:

Lets place them at mid aisle say 15 to 20 feet away and you are not yet seen by the bad guy.

My first response:
I have utmost respect for the knife so if he moves towards me with it he is getting shot at. (I figure to be pretty wound up by now)

I think I might dial 911 and hand the phone off if possible...draw and observe from cover, putting myself between him and my wife..... if not I would draw, scan for other actors, then from as covered postion as possible use a comand voice yelling, "STOP A...le!" Then wait to see what he does. If he bugs out the other direction, great! Then all I need do is re-holster, render assistance and raise heck long enough to get store security or others involved.

If he hurts the woman God forbid...two to the chest and one to the head. Same thing if he charges me.

The more sane response might just be to dial 911 while running for help?

Having a gunfight in Walmart, when I or my family are not directly threatened seems like a bad idea al around. Not to mention be the guy with the gun in his hand pointed at two screaming people might just get me shot by one of you or the LEO that was two aisles away!

What would you do?