Well it was quick thinking to get it from the purse but her husband obviously has the steadier hand even even stark naked and soaking wet. I guess she just stood there watched her hero getting shot up.
The way the initial article read, they both had their guns but her purse wasn’t visible. She was on the opposite side of the bed from DeCaro, who came out of the shower butt naked to find this guy threatening Lynne. He said he wanted valuables and picked up DeCaro’s briefcase. When DeCaro tried to tell him there was nothing valuable in it the guy started shooting. DeCaro had made his way to his side of the bed where he got a “pocket” 9mm, and started firing back. Lynne said all she could do was duck to keep from getting hit by the perp.
If bad guy had seen her purse, he would have tried for that, not the briefcase.
Also very confined space. If you’ve ever been in a Motel 6 you know the bed cuts the room in half.