I can only answer based on American Michigan laws . He could have waited . He could have just given up his valuables and the guys could have left them , or could have shot him anyways . We ' ve seen enough of these videos here to know the robbers in this situation might just kill you anyways . He was very lucky . Or he read the situation properly . Something hard to do over video . He had time to draw and fire before numb nuts could aim and fire . Action beats reaction . But he had no knowledge of the second guy behind him . If that guy hadn ' t had his thumb up his ass , and already had his pistol ready , this video would have ended badly . Probably both the cop and the woman getting shot . Situational awareness . He was thinking of that ass , instead of the asshole taking up a position behind him . Should have left immediately . Or better yet , tripped her first , then ran . Edit Wife is telling me that last part is not good advice .