I imagine he was cursing like a sumbitch the whole time.
I would say that the CCW vetting process (background check and gun training) works, with the guy deciding this was not a D/GBH threat, but the article makes him out to be kinda a wuss.
If you couldn't take a life, don't. No problems with that. But then why go to all the trouble to CC?
For me, I used to say that if the guy is close enough I can touch him, I can have his gun. If he's further away than that, I can run/hide/distract him.
Now I have a daughter. If someone tries to hurt her I will shoot them down and be sad about it later. Perspectives change with life experience.