No kidding.
Really, there's no reason for neighborhood watch folk - especially when travelling in pairs - to need a gun. And rifles? Really? What idiots. At least a handgun is for your own defense - a rifle is just asking for trouble.
And why do these people insist on engaging someone they think is a criminal? It's better to be a good witness - which you can generally do without engaging.
Common sense ain't so common anymore, sadly.
And for the record, I hope they throw the book at these two, and the couple they assaulted sues the hell out of them.

What is the point of rules that are not enforced?