Just about every single thing written here is correct, especially:
Gun: A gun is to shoot your way to safety, not to save the day. You are not a one-man counter-terror team. This is a fast track to being killed either directly, by a second shooter, or by police who have no idea who you are. Even if the cops are wrong in the end, you’re still dead.
Absolutely. Other than to protect yourself and your family, leave the gun in the holster and get the hell away from the situation. Leave the hero bullshit to Hollywood or to the people paid to be heroes, i.e. law enforcement (unless you live in a place like Uvalde TX or some big Blue city, where the cops are cowards).
People often think that just because I’m always yapping about self defense that I’m one of those palookas who just can’t wait for a firefight. Nothing could be further from the truth, which is that I’m a big fat coward right up until I can’t be one because then I’ll be a victim.
But to go looking for trouble? The hell with that.
A gun doesn’t make you bullet proof or invincible. I just gives you a way to resist thuggery and equalize the situation a little.
True to what you said, the first choice in a bad situation is to GTFO of the bullshit.