I can't imagine what it must be like to be so afraid

[Jon82]

16. It was implied

Yes, he only answered their question and that is not a literal threat. Still, he and the bullies knew the threat of him using the weapon was implied. This is a very poor argument. It goes no where except to the eventual conclusion one can draw is that he would have shot them if he continued. Otherwise, the argument is drawing a conclusion based on itself (goes nowhere but in a circle).