Here’s a random thought thinking more about this gun business.
Say hypothetically he was interrupted during the crimes and LE was able to respond. Would he have shot at LE? I bet he would have considering he has no problem killing 2 little girls, JMO. I think the gun for him was not only his method of threatening, but perhaps his insurance for escaping as well.
I believe you are correct about this. IIRC, after JP was arrested, he indicated that he would have used his gun against police right after kidnapping JC, had he been pulled over. If I'm not mistaken, two or three police vehicles passed him with lights and sirens as he fled the crime scene. He was very determined, IMO, to do whatever was necessary to get what he wanted without being caught. I feel the same about BG.