 Had the gun barrel not became extremely hot and burned Higgins, what would have likely happened during his standoff?
One of the others took the pistol away from Mister Anderson, the guard, and said to him in a low voice, "Think about retirement, my friend." The man who had first spoken herded the tellers, Mr. Featherhall and the customers all over against the back wall, while the second man stayed next to Mr. Anderson and the door. She fell unconscious to the floor, and all three of them ran out of the bank to the car out front, in which sat a very nervous-looking fourth man, gunning the engine. The police cars and the getaway car passed one another, with everybody shooting like the ships in pirate movies.
 The police would have had to force entry into his home and take him into custody.
 Higgins' wife would have eventually been able to convince him to surrender.  The police would have eventually given up on their suspect and left the scene.  The police would have had to force entry into his home and take him into custody.  Higgins' sister would have eventually been able to convince him to surrender.