When the first shots are fired, if the bad guys have not already targeted you because your pistol was concealed then you are AHEAD of the game and hold a clear advantage based on just being armed in a terrorist attack. If they are holding AK's that advantage shifts to them as having the superior weapon (maybe) but they will be busy mowing down sheep and unconcerned with resistance since they're there, to kill and be killed eventually anyway. So I disagree with this assertion.
...you can not win in a quick draw contest from a concealment holster vs a tango with an ak already out and active.
Assuming you are the only individual in his view and he has specifically targeted you, I'd have to agree but in real life there is going to be cover available in a mall. If I'm not cut down with the first shot, I'll make it to hard cover and then the playing field is more level. Not perfect, but I'll settle. If I can make it to hard cover, I'm still in the fight so I disagree with your second assertion.
Just because an active shooter is spraying the area doesn't automatically mean all resistance is going to be ineffective. In fact I'd much RATHER have somebody hosing the area down in full auto because that just degrades the accuracy all the more. Ever try it? I have and even with the techniques taught to me by some of the best infantrymen in the world, it is a real MISSION to be effective in hitting any specific target. That's when nobody is shooting back, too. Accuracy in the M16 on full auto (no 3rd burst for me when I was on active duty) is a dicey affair and it's going to be far worse when the caliber is 7.62x39. We learned to aim for the dirt at their feet and literally use the muzzle rise to walk the rounds up the body if you were doing that -- firing on full auto. But you have to remember that an M16 can empty a 20 rd magazine in just 2.2 seconds with the trigger fully depressed and absent any burst restrictions. So walking the rounds up or firing in the other classic pattern of a "Z" to engage is better suited to a belt fed weapon like our old and wonderful M60 or the newer SAWs.
Ask any battle tested soldier which opponent he fears more: The crazed jihadi spraying and praying -LOUDLY- (ALLAH-HU AKBAR!) or the SNIPER with some skills patiently waiting to drop a target at some distance. Me, I'll take that sniper far more seriously, every time. LOL not that I'm going to ignore any shooter opening fire under those circumstances in a committed terror attack on a soft target in my presence! My oath as an army officer is still in full force with me and just because I'm now a civilian doesn't mean I'm going to allow any terrorist unfettered access to the sheep when I'm around.
>> My oath as an army officer is still in full force with me and just because I’m now a civilian doesn’t mean I’m going to allow any terrorist unfettered access to the sheep when I’m around. <<
God Bless you ExSoldier!! We need many more like you.