Someone else on this thread also wrote that a handgun could escalate what would have been a "fight".

I think its important to note that some guy who would actually assault a total stranger, either to accomplish a theft or because of being in an irrational state of rage, is likely not thinking "fight". More'n likely he intends damage on the scale of broken facial bones and a serious concussion, what ever it takes to leave you laying on the ground, possibly with permanent impairment.

Mike