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Rex B wrote:with all that in mind, what would YOU do in this scenario?

It would depend on the range involved, and my immediate assessment of the situation. At 3 foot range or less, it is unlikely you will be able to simply draw & fire quickly enough to prevent the BG shooting you, but you may be able to deflect the gun away from you while moving off sight-line and get your weapon into play. If we are talking about ranges greater than about 3 feet, you may be able to evade while drawing. In either case, standing there discussing things with the BG is a poor plan unless you are attempting to lull him into a false sense of security, which they will be unlikely to tolerate well.

I would like to believe that my alert status would be high enough that anyone who gets close enough to be a threat has been assessed for that well before they get the drop on me, but the fact is that BGs count on the element of surprise. They will avoid picking someone as a victim who doesn't look or act like a victim, so stay alert, act like you aren't in your own little bubble-world and like you are assessing the world around you for threats, and they will usually go after softer targets.

Some things you should be practising include CQB and Hand-to-Hand techniques, and moving while drawing & shooting so that when the time comes you are prepared to do so. If you routinely walk in areas which are less-frequented (such as hiking/biking trails) with your spouse or family, they should also practice things like moving behind or away from the threat so that you can work as a team.

Rex B wrote:Most of us get more gun training during our CHL qualifying than the typical gun-pointing BG gets in a lifetime. How many times do you hear on the news about a shootout where X rounds were fired, brass littering the pavement, and not one hit?
You have an important psychological advantage: He started into this confrontation with an intent to coerce your wallet from you, and probably does not expect to have to shoot. If he shoots, he loses. That brings a hesitation into his actions. You, on the other hand, intend to draw and fire as soon as you possibly can. If you shoot and hit first, you win.
Personally, I'd bet my life I can shoot better than the lowlife trying to steal my wallet. I just try to avoid situations where I have to.

The experience level of BGs is much greater than you think. According to a recent FBI study, BGs actually practice as much as 14 times per year or more, because they generally believe LEOs do as well and want to be prepared for that shootout. In fact, in an exchange of this type, it is usually the LEO who is shooting & missing more than the BG.

I also wouldn't gamble on what his intentions are or that he will hesitate, since he has already threatened deadly force. In fact, I think if you believe this you really may be gambling with your life. Historical evidence shows that you are just as likely to be shot after the robbery if they have displayed a weapon, regardless of whether or not you cooperate, and that they are unlikely to hesitate to use the gun at all either way.

The fact is that you are VERY likely to be shot in either case (cooperate OR fight back) if the BG displays a firearm, so the question then changes to "How do I survive this (and hopefully prevent this BG from harming my spouse/family)?" instead of "Should I try to pull my pistol & fight back?"