Sarge,
Good advice. I really think she did a good job of being aware. I also think she reacted correctly by eyeballing one and going for the phone.
Inside the store, under those circumstances, even if she had a weapon, I am not sure what would have been proper. Certainly making sure the weapon was ready. I don't think she would have been legal displaying a weapon given the three men had not spoken to her.
A more likely scenario, in my view, would have been them following her out onto the parking lot and robbing her or carjacking her wheels.
Given what she told me, I think she acted correctly. I also think she will be changing her routine.
For me, I don't routinely carry. I think I need to revisit that. Believe it or not, a lifetime of not carrying is bearing considerable weight to my decision not to routinely carry.
I know that it only takes one incident to put me six feet under when prior planning could have prevented it.
I have to work through that.
Geetarman