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Being a "gangster looking thug" is not a crime, nor is it an indication of evil intent. Neither is walking towards someone. Food for thought.

I completely agree. That is why I said he could be coming out to help me load my groceries. I was not going to gun him down right there or anything. I just wondered at what point was it reasonable to think he was a threat. I think I pretty much have a good idea now though.

Thanks for all of the replies! I really posted this because I was coming out of WalMart with my son (4yrs) and he decided to lay down in the grass median in the parking lot by my truck (why? because he is 4 I guess... I'm not really sure :) ). Anyway I was trying to pick him up but he was goofing around & I looked up and a total thug (pick in his hair, baggy pants, gangsta' walk, evil look in his eyes) was right there walking by me. He passed on by but kept looking at me suspiciously. It got me thinking what I would do if he came right at me (and I had my CHL... which BTW just switched to processing today ).

When I'm with my kids I get very protective and it is very hard to keep track of them and everything that is going on around you- especially in a parking lot. I know that I can't just draw on a guy because he looks mean but I really just wondered at what point he crosses the line.

I think, after all of your posts & finding some other posts here, my plan would be holding out a halt hand and a "Whoa Buddy!... what's going on?". Hopefully he would stop. If he continued to come closer I would back up & keep a distance if possible (probably not if my kids were standing there though) and then hand-on-gun if he got in our 10' space. Hopefully this never happens but it is nice to have a plan.

I'm sure this has been discussed but I've been searching here for a couple hours and could not find what I was looking for.

Lets say that I'm walking to my car. The parking lot is pretty empty and I see a gangster looking thug about 20' away walking directly at me. He has that "up to no good" look and is obviously fixated on me but no signs of a weapon. He could be coming out to help me load my groceries- or to rob me. What do you do? No real time for any real verbal communication. Do you just wait & see? Do you put you hand on your cc weapon but leave it holstered? Do you draw to a low safe position? What would be legal in that circumstance?

Lets say he walks up and, as expected, demands your wallet, keys, & your watch. No sign of a weapon yet. What do you do?

Just trying to get a feel of what "life in danger" really looks like in a real world situation.