But this is a great example of why you should never say, "Put the gun down." It's almost impossible to put a gun down without pointing it at someone, or appearing to.
What do you prefer to "put the gun down"?
Don't move.
Simple to say, simple to understand, and every person on Earth is capable of doing it. It works in every possible situation. And best of all the witnesses will know exactly what I said and what the bad guy should've done (or not done).
