We had exactly the same responses from people back in the 80s and early 90s with the IRA... there was one occasion where a bloke came out of a pub (I think in Belfast) and he was carrying a table leg that looked just like a sawn off shot gun (bizarre but true!). The police identified themselves and told him to drop the "gun". Being drunk, this bloke turned towards them, and thinking they were about to get shot, the police opened fire and killed the guy.
Needless to say the family then sued the police - but they werent to know what he was carrying! In the height of the IRA campaign everyone could understand it - and I think most people do now - as has been said, it's tragic, but until the police develop x-ray specs, you have to be safe rather than sorry.