Coming back to the facts of the case as recorded, a reasonable person goes out of their way to avoid trouble. This burden is in fact even higher if they are armed.
Others have made this point as well, but IIRC Mas Ayoob once wrote the acceptance of a CCW meant the surrender of their “badass” card. Seeking out situations involving a fight or provoking one thereof is not likely to win points with a competent jury. Shooting someone over a political difference might be celebrated in some areas of the world, and thankfully this isn’t one of them.