[QUOTE=surveyor47;135584228]... legal rules of engagement, ... how to do so without getting charged with assault. As I understand it right now, the rules of engagement are that the criminal never knows that you are armed until you actually fire. I think thats nuts. If the very act of warning the guy away is assault, because you place him in fear, what reason does he have not to continue his pursuit of you? .../QUOTE]

Surveyor, I think you are getting some really, really, really bad advice.

In my experience, there are no such things as quantified rules of engagement, quantified distances wherein you can shoot/don't shoot, or similar.

I suggest you study this matter anew...and get some new instructors who offer other than what you have been presented.

Be safe.

PS:

If anyone/anywhere can prove there is a statute/law/ordinance that quantifies "shooting space" I will buy him/her a keg of his/her choice. Truth!!!