If someone beheaded a soldier of your country and waited 20 minutes surrounded by a crowd...

We’ll note that a police officer was gunned down in Kentucky. He had a gun–never had a chance to draw it. So here’s a tragic case of precisely what you were talking about and having a gun made absolutely no difference.

In reference to the OP, I would have gotten away, warned folks about the perps, and called the cops.

I’m glad police in the Republic Of Ireland aren’t routinely armed and it would be nice if there came a time when the PSNI weren’t routinely armed either.

Thank you for clearing that up. I’m happy to be wrong.