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I found this at another forum and after reading it I drastically changed my mindset about what my go/no go scenario would be. Granted this was an off duty police officer but the lesson he is espousing applies to all of us that carry. After reading it I now think about the quickest and easiest way to get out of harms way first and using my ultimate defense second. We all get caught up in the "defend your honor" mode but I now work constantly to just let it go and walk away.

http://www.calccw.com/Forums/experience ... -read.html


As for armchair QB'ing the OP...I think the OP over reacted and took the bait from an obvious bluff. People randomly beating people at the checkout in WW is extremely rare. Loudmouth idiots who bluff that they will actually cross the line and hit you are common. Generally I find that people will only cross the line when they are drunk or have no fear of the law (aka gang bangers). Usually both are easy to spot. Your description of the idiots lends me to believe that they actually stand to lose alot from a civil suit. If he was indeed a Marine, hitting you would have no small impact on his career in the military. A large part of my assessment of potential threats is to determine what my opponent stands to lose if they engage me. I'm not talking just the actual fight but the ramifications after the fight. Civil suits, a trip to jail, dealing with the police etc. I guarantee that those things will be in the back of the mind of your average blowhard but certainly will not a be a deterrent to a drunk or career gang banger.
I think to OP over reacted. The thug sought to intimidate and scare the OP and he succeeded. Had you drawn your weapon you would have completely looked the fool and would have likely broken a law or two. I don't think he cared whether you were armed or not as he knew you weren't about to draw and shoot him because he actually hadn't done anything and was never going to. He may well have been joking with his buddies on the way out "LOL...did you see him reach for his gun...hahahahaha". He bluffed, you bought it, and he won.