When a convenience-store clerk on Long Island recently outwitted a bat-wielding thief by pulling out a shotgun from underneath the counter, he could have shot him right then and there if he wanted to — or, to avoid a messy cleanup, simply chased him out of the store. But then the robber dropped to his knees and apologized, telling the store clerk that he had no job, no money, and couldn’t feed his family. The clerk lowered his shotgun, gave the man $40 and a loaf of bread, shook his hand, and sent him off.