I'm writing here because I don't feel like tying up another thread about the "element of surprise." I have to ask you though, in your story, the element of surprise was never used (just like in every self defense case). If said chicken **** goblins ran away on the mere thought that a cop might be there, would they have entered the store in the first place if they saw someone else carrying a gun? Did the goblins even realize that the retired cop was in the store to begin with? How would they have seen his firearm if they never even noticed him in the first place? The element of surprise you speak of seems like a pipe dream.