There is a principal that "you never go to a gun fight without a gun". A similar principal is that "you never go to a gun fight if you don't have to go".
And finally, "you don't wait for a gun fight to come to you". You relocate so that surprise can never be on the side of your enemy. If it is important enough that you win, then you will abandon any necessity to "fight fair".
Very true.
I once lived in a townhouse that was located in a block that was no-mans-land between two rival gangs. One evening I arrived home to find 5-6 gang-bangers in my parking area selling drugs. Keep in mind that these little punks are cowards by nature - they are only "brave" when they have their "posse" nearby. I went in, called the police, then went outside with my shotgun loaded for bear.
I informed the assembled slime that a) the police were on their way, and b) I would not hesitate to blow the slimeballs into little bloody pieces if they threatened me in any way; then or later, as I was ALWAYS packing. Lastly, I informed them that they could do/sell as many drugs as they wanted as far as I was concerned, as long as they stayed away from my home.
The slime oozed away, after vague mutterings of "seeing me later". I waited until the cops showed up and told them what had happened. One of the cops told me that if I ever saw one of them with a gun to not hesitate to shoot, because this particular gang was notoriously bloodthirsty.
I never had any other problem with this group or their rivals. The word had spread in the area to "stay away from that crazy little white bread; he WANTS to shoot one of us." I heard several non-gang members talking about me in the local convienence store, so I KNOW that the word had spread.
My point is this: these social misfits count on our silence and our unwillingness to get involved. Standing up to them lets them know that the cost/benefit analysis does NOT weigh in their favor - and they quickly move on.