I think your post has more to do with "OMFG!!!1 t3h gunz!!" than an argument on whether someone should fight back with whatever they have handy if they are pulled out their car.

No, not really - I've lived in a couple of countries where cops visibly carry guns, and visted tens of others where that is the case. I don't disagree that one should fight back if they believe they are being unjustifiably attacked (which would be the case if the employee made a mistake in identifying you as the guy who stole a stereo); I was more taking issue with your seemingly flippant approach to the taking of the person's life for doing so.

I'm aware that some NZ cops carry weapons, although they will almost always be concealed except for an Armed Offenders callout or whatever. If I was going for the utmost clarity, perhaps I should have said 'carry guns that are obviously visable'. Having said that, I'm not sure your comment about airport cops carrying guns is correct - I work at one of the three major international airports in NZ, and as part of my job have regular conversations with the airport cops. If they are all carrying a gun I'd be interested to know exactly where they are concealing it ... unless a bucket of lube is also standard police issue these days as well. :)