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I don't pull unless I am going to shoot. May be I have to but that is the idea.

I will not risk going to jail, if avoidable, because L.E. doesn't know or care about the law.

I avoid all potential situations when possible. The way I read the O.P. I saw an out when the nut started his approach. Yes, we know we can "stand our ground" and can even tell the arresting officer that when they are hauling us off to jail. If I know it is necessary I will pull and shoot. Otherwise, I am leaving and the clerks report can be matched with mine when we call 911. I have dealt with these people, both nuts and just bums. I stare them down or warn them away or leave. I do not let them near me if possible. They are not worth what my family and myself would have to deal with if I have to spend wasted money on a lawyer or shoot some mental defective or miss and hit an innocent. To many possibilities to pull just because it is legal.

That said, I wasn’t there. I don't know the amount of time the O.P. had. What I see as a viable escape time or avoidance situation, he and others may not. It is hard to tell from a post and maybe I should have given that as part of my post. I try to avoid if possible and shoot if necessary. No warning, no show of force, just avoid or stop the threat.

As an aside, can you prove he said, "Give me your money" and not "Give me some money"? Like was posted, if you are the only witness and end up shooting an unarmed, possibly retarded, possible military Vet with P.T.S.D. then how much of a nut is the guy? What about when the media starts in on how a poor innocent mentally challenged man was shot over a few dollars and the D.A. is thinking he can make his next big score on you? That is something to consider, not that the O.P. did anything wrong. Just a reminder of what reality possibly holds for one of us defending ourselves or another innocent.

The guy had no visible weapon and you pulled on him? Then the LEO said you did fine and that you didn't have to report it. I would be afraid I would be thrown in jail for pulling my gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out. I think I would have put the gas nozzle up and left while I called a LEO. Maybe, I should consider not even taking my pepper spray the next time I am in Dallas since the LEOs understand who the good guys are.

Glad to see your first post was good news.