I'm sure the store owner could have legally shot the robber who pointed a gun at him.
The store owner is super lucky he was not shot.
Not only that but IF the store owner DID shoot 1st there would be a headache of troubles in his future.
Things just worked out luckily.
This is an example of having a gun is enough to prevent crime without actually firing the gun.
There needs to be a new Tik Tok challenge.
Go into a fancy mall with a giant sledge hammer. Just carry it around but DONT do anything wrong.
Have a buddy record the reactions of people.
Is that probable cause for detention?
Everybody will be calling the cops on you.
I think it would be a great social experiment but will surely get you on a list.
Regarding the OP - I can hardly believe that this actually happened INSIDE a mall rather than a store front.
I was running through a scenario like this with my son last week. He's in 8th grade and was getting teased in class. Bad. He didn't like it. He REALLY didn't like that the teachers didn't do squat.
So we worked on some TKD-centered responses after my first suggestion of "I'd come back with a 'yo-momma' joke, but be ready for the roundhouse from the left."
(My problem is that this stuff goes on in FRONT of the staff and they do nothing. But the minute my kid defends himself, you KNOW they're going to try and throw the book at him.)
Anyhow, he chose to endure. . . and one of his teachers ripped one kid a new one 2 days later. So it restored my faith in humanity.
But it was a complete disconnect to him. There are all of these societal rules. You don't get punched. You CERTAINLY don't need to be ready to react and fight back. It's just a different planet than the one he lives on every day.
Same with a gun situation. Some guy comes in with a crowbar. 99% or the people on this thread (myself included), "I'm dropping him as soon as he goes at me." Probably about 5% would even get to the point of CONSIDERING to pull the trigger. Because 8,000 different thoughts - most centered around "this isn't happening" are going through our minds.
Second guy pulls a GUN. Now you're in a DOUBLE "WTF" Loop. You are still reeling from the shoot/noshoot decision tree on Guy 1. Now Guy 2 presents a BIGGER threat. "THIS ISN'T HAPPENING!!!!"
No thanks. If I go my entire life without being in a situation where I need to draw a weapon, I'll be very happy.