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Interesting (and very real world) scenario. I am ony going to address a couple of elements, others here will no doubt pick up on others. You mention a resistance to "punching holes" in somebody who may be aggressing you in a manner that would not require a deadly force response from you. I am making no pre assumptions about your current knowledge of use of force in Texas, but would encourage you to review the statutes. Remember that use of "deadly force" is not confined to use of a firearm or bladed instrument in the eyes of the law. Punching to the face or other vulnerable areas can very well be viewed as use of deadly force in some examples.

In MY opinion, one of the things that makes it better for us civvies in self defense is a lack of mandated continuum of force doctrine when it comes to defending ourselves. We need not worry about whether we are applying the same level of force (+1) when confronted with a situation as the BG. Instead we have two very simple circumstances to apply: Did you feel that your life or that of others in your immediate surroundings was in imminent danger? Or not? Police and others (security personnel) may be bound by force continuums because their criteria are different: defend yourself/ others vs affecting an arrest or otherwise taking control of a suspect that doesn't want to be taken control of.

Many here (as do I) advocate use of OC or other self defense spray as an adjunct to your EDC for personal defense. It may very well help avoid a true deadly force encounter in those "iffy" situations where force has been used upon you less than that which makes you fear for your life. I personally strongly advise against tacti-cool pens or other such items which will ultimately lend to the same "punching holes" in somebody you were trying to avoid in the first place. The other intended use of said taci-cool pens is in using presure point and other control tactics which, unless you are thoroughly trained, you are putting yourself in more danger than good to try and employ. My OPINION is that it is best to keep things simple and not involve force continuums (which evolved from lawsuits from excessive use of force during arrests, not self defense) in our decision process.