On a recent MythBusters episode they asked the question:

“Is it possible to shoot a gun out of a bad guy’s hand”

Fly to Your Dreams Blog has a good writeup including some of his observations.

I agree with all his points.  But here is an idea…

Why risk collateral damage when some scumbag is doing something threatening with a gun?  Do the world a favor and just shoot him.

Disarming someone with a bullet does make for good family friendly T.V. though: