| Well, I havn't got my Bible in front of me at the moment, so I hope you'll forgive some more generalized citation.
Assuming that I have enough confidence in my weapon and my own skill to kill the attacker without harming the woman or any innocent bystanders, I would take the shot. The scriptural justification for this, IMO, is found in;
1: Jesus' endorsement of self-defense, ( the need for a sword )
1a: Jesus' command to assist those in need.
If Jesus allows self-defense, and expects us to tend the needs of those who are in trouble, why would he not expect us to defend the defenseless against their aggressors? We are commanded to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and care for the poor; why not defend the defenseless?
2: Jesus' own intervention to save an alleged adulteress from stoning. Jesus was, being the Son of God, able to stop her from being killed without resorting to violent means. However, His own intervention was ( as was everything else He did ) intended to serve as an example to us. Clearly, we are meant to intervene wherever possible to stop the unjustifiable ( pre-emptive, excessive, or brutal ) violence against others. Since violence under very tightly controlled and clearly delineated circumstances ( such as self-defense ) is allowed ( Jesus clearing the temple by force ), it could be argued that the justifiably violent prevention of unjustifiable violence ( shooting the mugger ) would also be allowed. |