I was out for my evening walk a few days ago. It was about 01:00 hours, the night was clear and peaceful, and I was looking forward to getting home and hitting the sack.

Then three teenage kids started to follow me. They were maybe 16 or 17 years old, taller and leaner and more fit than I was. When the breeze shifted I could smell that someone had been selling them beer, and that they'd been taking advantage of that fact.

Nothing was done that was overtly threatening. They just dogged my footsteps, hanging back 40 or 50 feet, whispering to one another while staring intently at me. It seemed pretty obvious to me that they were trying to work up enough courage to walk on over and mug this old man. After all, there was still another hour to go before the bars closed and they couldn't get any more beer. If they had any money left they would be out spending it instead of following me around those dark and sleeping streets.

Okay, now what? What were my options?

Sure, Ohio had recently passed a CCW law and I was legally carrying a gun. I could just see myself trying to explain to the judge why I had shot three unarmed juveniles. But, considering the fact that I was seriously outnumbered and there was just no way I could outrun them, what else could I have done if they managed to find the guts to act?

Lucky for everyone concerned that I've given this sort of thing a great deal of thought. I was fully prepared, ready to go, and confident that I would be the one left standing. Read on if you want to know the details.