[msquaredserver]

so i haven't seen anything specifically related to this, so i figured i'd ask. i just got my first gun (taurus pt111 mil pro 9mm - love the little bastard) and after about 300 rounds through, i feel comfortable enough that i would be useful in a defensive situation, so i have been carrying concealed for the past week or so. i have 700 rounds through it, and at 15 yards i can make nice groupings of about 6-8" or so. now that i feel i wouldn't accidentally put a round through an unfortunate civilian, i was wondering if we could play a little game of "what would you do" for various situations regarding defensive handgun use. even though i have never been in a situation that would require the use of a gun for defense, i feel that i would be more than willing to do my part in protecting myself or others. my question to you is what you would do in the following situations, and the legality and risks of said situations.

1) carrying concealed in a convenience store. searching for products in the back of the store, possibly the drinks cooler, and it becomes apparent that a customer is attempting to rob the clerk. there is a fair amount of activity in the store, and there is a high probability that you can get the drop on the criminal.

2) offshoot of number 1. the criminal becomes aware that you pose a threat and starts to turn around with the gun swinging towards your direction.

3) home invasion, sleeping in an upstairs room, with gun ready for use after getting the mag into the gun. you hear voices, there could be one or possibly even two people downstairs rummaging through and stealing your possessions.

4) concealed carry walking down the streets of scranton. down an alley, you notice a man robbing a woman. figure... knifepoint or gunpoint, you can respond to either or both situation. there is a high probability that if you begin walking down the alley the criminal will notice you and shift his intentions towards you.

5) concealed carry in a mall. very close by, around the corner you hear very loud gunfire. you peek around the corner, and see a man wildly shooting an assault rifle into the air with customers running haphazardly everywhere. they start to clear away from his location and he starts walking in your direction, still firing his rifle, now aiming at others.

i'm just looking for hypothetical situations, and trying to see what a common response is. there are a lot of ifs in any of these situations, but answers can be as simple as "walk away" or "draw and request he lower his weapon." i feel responsible to protect myself, and i want to see where i would wind up compared to other peoples reactions. personally, i would:

1) observe the situation (call 911 and identify myself as concealed carry and the situation), unholster weapon, and be prepared to act (either by threat of deadly force or actual deadly force, depending on the need) in case the robber is looking for anything more than just a robbery (while trying to stay under radar).
2) unholster, sweep safety, acquire target, and fire (assuming he doesn't stop the guns travel path with a destination of looking down at my face). call 911 immediately after if i haven't already, and identify myself and the situation.
3) remain upstairs, load and chamber gun, sweep safety, and remain ready to attempt to stop them should they enter my room. call 911 as early as possible without alarming the invaders.
4) observe situation from a close a vantage point as possible (while calling 911 if at all possible), thumb break undone, and if the situation comes down to it, attempt to distract attention from the woman. self-defense (charging assailant with a knife) as an absolute last resort is a valid reason for the use of deadly force.
5) guess who i'd call? that's right, 911 to identify myself as carrying concealed and the situation. unholster, sweep safety, and observe surroundings, when there is not a chance in the world i'd hit a civilian, acquire target, and shoot, if my skills would allow for a one-shot-needed situation.

that's just me - i know a lot of people feel that once a gun is drawn it's intention is to fire, but quite often i feel that just the threat of a firearm is enough to stop an average crook, killing isn't necessary.