When it comes to violent situations probably the most important item in a fight is the thing between your ears.
At the Police station where I worked many years ago there was a sign at the end of the pistol range above the targets: 'Think it out, don't shoot it out'
My Aikido Sensei also imparted some wisdom: "The best way handle a fight is not to be where it happens".
From bitter experience, I know many confrontations happen very fast indeed.