What time of night was this, how is your night vision these days? Do you search each and every one of those people that are calling you "Nigger" before or after they pull out a gun in the night. Do you just let them slap your gun out of your hand, or do you mean it when you point a gun, cause you better mean it. When that last symbolism of protecting your home is slapped down, you can bet that the last resembelance of respecting that man's property was gone, there was fixing to be a beating with 4 on 2 taking place. As you admit, pointing a gun at somebody is a last resort, only a drunken stupid fool does not realize that and looks like Mr. White had his hands full with those that night.
I understand where you are coming from of course, as you do I... but in this case I side with Mr. White... unfortunately for him, his location probable screwed him even before the case began. We will have to agree to disagree on this issue.
As a rule my wife and I have a pact... I confront danger on property head on in a place of my choosing when possible, if I fail to stop the danger, my wife is to barracade herself in our designated area with the children, having phoned the police if possible, and to shoot until she runs out of ammo when confronted... You may consider us unworthy to own a gun, but we will die defending our family the best we know how if pressed. I guess the more irk of your post to me comes with your gun grabbing statement. Cold Dead Hand is my answer.
I would also dislike having a bunch of drunken lowlifes yelling threats at my house. My point is that White behaved in a tactically-stupid manner
His first mistake was to not call 911 immediately.
His second was to go out there with his pistol instead of staying closer to the house.
His third and biggest mistake was to allow the drunken louts to get within arm's reach. The gun is a weapon best used at a distance -- once you allow your opponent to get within grabbing range, he controls the situation, not you
His underlying mistake was to let his ego control the situation. He would have been in a much better legal position if he waited inside for the thugs to make an offensive move that would have justified a defensive response.
A gun is a tool which, used intelligently, can get you out of bad trouble, and can make a bad situation much worse when used unintelligently.
When I train people, I stress that it is not a magic talisman that will make trouble go away merely by waving it around. A person who is not under threat of death or serious injury has no business reaching for his gun. Conversely, if you DO have just cause to draw, you must be prepared to fire without hesitation if your opponent crosses a line, and you should have decided well ahead of time what your lines will be. For me, my lines include: my opponent reaching for a weapon; his being within range of harming a child of mine or making her hostage; him advancing upon me after I draw with intention of trying to take my gun, etc