When to draw??

The more I read, the more I fear the courts above the confrontations!! "Just before you shoot" .... yes!! But every bullet comes with a lawyer attached, who will demand an air-tight reason why *that* bullet *had* to be fired at *that* person. And it has to convince the jury made of people convinced that guns are evil and there's never an excuse to shoot someone (unless maybe to save their own skin!)

Could it be argued that the hypothetical reasonable person would have simply offerred the purse and wallet as the toll for passing through, thus preventing a shooting? Can it be argued that with no weapon presented I should have no reason to fear? That it was all my imagination, and because I displayed my holstered weapon I am actually the instigator of any violence?

Escape is always better than fighting. I don't have much pride anyway -- I can leave it on the sidewalk in a yellow puddle as I leave. But my wife doesn't move as fast - I don't think I should be required to leave her behind.

But do I really have to let them get closer than is comfortable to justify defense?? Do I need to see a weapon before I draw mine? If it comes out, there will be the willingness to pull the trigger with effect - but if they suddenly start backing down and leaving, am I now at fault??

If I keep the purse and wallet, but lose the house to pay the lawyers .... or spend 5 to 25 behind bars .... or have nightmares every night .... is it still a good win??

Not trolling ..... just asking how y'all answered these questions for yourself. Or where I can find the answers for my locales. I know the *technicalities* are in the State Revised Statutes -- but where to find the real answers ....

You're asking questions that no one can answer for you. Every situation is different and generally very fluid. What one may deem a credible threat someone else may dismiss. YOU will need to evaluate the situation as it unfolds and decide for yourself where that line is.

There doesn't need to be a weapon shown for there to be a threat. Hands and feet are weapons and plenty of folks have been killed simply by being punched.
As Wag has pointed out. If you feel the situation rose to the level of life threatening you better be able to clearly articulate to a jury (Not the police) why you squeezed that trigger. You should also pray really hard that there was an eye witness(es) to corroborate your side of the events.

lastly and most importantly..... TRAIN. Go to your local range and take a pistol course. Become comfortable drawing your weapon from concealment. Comfortable to the point it becomes muscle memory.
As has been said you do not want to draw until you're committed to shot so you better be able to do it quickly. I think its very foolish to subscribe to the "I'll just pull it out and scare them" theory. If you draw it be ready to use it. If the threat flees....great. But dont assume that's how it's going tp go.
Also, one of the largest factors in self defense is situational awareness. Its your responsibility to be aware of your surroundings. If youre in public you should be on alert and scanning and evaluating what's going on around you. Be diligent not to put yourself in a situation where you may need to draw your gun. The group at the mall you reference..... avoid them. Walk in a store and casually browse until they move along. Dont put yourself in a position to be a victim.