A PC is just a character under the direction of the player rather than the GM. All types of characters in my games follow the rules for social interactions. If an NPC can be socially moved to a certain action (or inaction), then so too can a PC. A player that doesn't like this happening should look to raise Presence & Willpower along with their Cool & Discipline and relevant talents. If you they don't, then they suffer the same way the character that took no defensive talents does when the shooting starts.