Originally Posted by edogg

This is exactly right. And sometimes what starts off as a simple "give me your wallet" can escalate even when the victim submits.

Examples:

Man shot during apparent robbery in Tacoma | Crime | The News Tribune

Woman shot during robbery at Vista restaurant - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego

Often, as in TiAg's story, the would-be victim presenting a gun is enough to deter the bad guy. Bad guys want easy targets. Being ready to defend yourself can make them reconsider their actions.

Another story from a friend. He grew up in a bad area of the city and was visiting family who still lives there. Sitting at a stop light with his daughter strapped into her car seat in the back, a guy walks up with a gun and says "get out of your car". My friend pulls out his revolver and says "no". The bad guy's eyes get huge and he runs away. Then my friend sees another bad guy come out of hiding from behind his car and also run away.

Do you think the bad guys are going to wait around and let my friend take his daughter out of her car seat? Hardly...had he gotten out, not only would his car be gone, but his daughter along with it.