I can't speak for Massad Ayoob, but I do read his writing, and agree with most of it. I may be wrong, but let me see if I can explain it.
Someone grabbing you by the throat is not usually a "Lethal Threat". Remember that while you have to look at "worst case scenarios" you also
cannot act beyond what is known at the time of the threat. For example:
Lets say a man walks up to you in Podunk, AR and grabs you by the throat. He has made no verbal comments to the effect that place you in "fear of your life" nor has he done anything else in regards to attacking you. By my teaching you have been the victim of a simple assault.
You don't know it but this nefarious critter has a 7" Bowie Knife in his waistband. You pull your gun and proceed to ventilate said critter with three rounds from your trusted firearm. In the course of the investigation the knife is discovered, and the fact that it was an unknown element to you. Trust me, this sort of stuff happens all the time.
Because the knife was unknown to you and you were only the victim of a "simple assault" you are not justified in stopping your attacker with Deadly Force. Attempts to flee, disengage from your attacker and verbalization of the ability to use Deadly Force all work in your favor. Who but someone attempting to use Deadly Force would continue an attack against a person that has the ability to use Deadly Force?
Laws vary by communities and
"In The Gravest Extreme" was written to try and encompass all the various locales in our great land. Truth be told I don't think one will go wrong if they follow the teachings in Massad Ayoob's writings and may prevent untold future hardship.
Firearms are considered a tool of "last resort" and attempts to use other tools work in your favor, usually, before resorting to Deadly Force if at all possible.
Biker
