To be found firing it?… Extremely dangerous in that regard.
This isn’t about punishment for an action. This is about a common reaction to an action.
The reason it is not reasonable to just open fire… would be you do not know what their reason is. It could be self defense. Could be protecting another. You probably need a reasonable assessment and that takes time to observe. And probably proper lighting. It’s a hell of a moment… do you need to open fire to protect someone else, or yourself? Or do you wait.
Also… while you wait, do you announce yourself to the shooter?
Problem… they are likely to turn around to face the noise you just made.
Police OFTEN shoot in this scenario. Because the brandished gun is then pointed towards them as the suspect turns to face the noise.
It’s a god damn mess all around, for a nation armed to the teeth. Mistakes are made all the time. And because they involve guns, it costs lives.
This is the price of an armed society. A price we pay every day. Ordinarily my solution is to disarm society. But these times are nothing ordinary and they are far from peaceful.
I do not know how I would judge this situation on a Jury. Not without all the facts. Even then… it’s just a god damn mess.