Been thinking this one over...

[expvideo]

If you can't get into your car and drive away (best option), or run (second best option), and you can clearly see that they have weapons, draw and make loud and clearly understandable commands, such as "drop your weapon!". If they continue to approach you, fire.

What you don't want to do is shoot first and ask questions later. There may be a reason that you haven't considered for this person's actions. If it turns out that this guy is holding the knife for some other reason (I don't know, maybe he's trying to cut someone's seatbelt that's stuck in a burning car that you haven't noticed a few rows down and he needs someone to call 911, or some weird scenario like that), you are going to have to deal with having shot that person both legally and psychologically.

if you can isolate the BGs from each other, there's more of a chance of defusing the situation right?

If they are threatening to stab you, there is no "defusing the situation". There is only ending the situation, and one of you is going to do it. I recommend that it be you. You "defuse" arguments in the supermarket line. You "defuse" an angry driver in a fender bender. A person threatening you with a knife is not having a misunderstanding or a difference of opinion. He is threatening to kill you. That doesn't need "defusing", that needs immediate closure.

 

[CWL]

Movement is what has always been taught to me in both martial arts and firearms training. Never be where the BGs want you to be.

It is always harder to hit a moving target than a stationary one. By incorporating movement into your techniques, you can confuse your opponents as they are as likely used to 'static' assaults and fights.

Always incorporate barriers if available, these protect you, can separate your opponents and once again -confuse your opponents.

Combine everything and you increase your odds of controlling the situation.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Why is the parking lot full at dusk?

I'd get in my car, lock the doors, and start the car. The only reason I wouldn't do that is if I somehow dropped my keys and kicked them under the car at the same time. At that point, I'd draw and focus on the closest guy.