[_zzaw]

That’s a mugging you’re describing. There’s an implicit threat of violence in being confronted by someone who demands your property, and drawing a weapon would likely be seen as justified.

Retail theft—someone grabbing stuff and fleeing the store—is a different deal. If you blocked the person from leaving and they threatened you, again, you might be able to justify drawing a weapon. But threatening deadly force against someone who’s running away isn’t the same situation.

As you said, you don’t draw a gun unless you’re willing to use it. If I were a store customer or employee, I’d be more worried about armed hero-types overreacting and possibly killing me, rather than someone stealing stuff and trying to escape.