Maggie’s Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

I would not have done what you did. That could land me in jail for brandishing or worse. For all you know he was walking back to apologize, or to ask directions. That's how the prosecutor will put it when you land in court.

I agree that you should be prepared, and if you are allowed to have a loaded weapon on the seat next to you, you could always set it there before he gets close enough to see you handling it. That way he "discovers" you are armed.

While I don't like seeing assholes get away with anything, the best course would likely have been for your girl to dial 911 and for you to await a threat that calls for the reaction you had.

Just my opinion.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shankster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't honk at people that are already acting psychotic.

Just sayin' </div></div>
Fair enough but the honk was because he almost clipped my bumper when passing me. Not to mention that honking is somewhat of an instant reaction so first thing would be to learn to over ride your reactions.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

The horn is to alert other drivers who aren't paying attention. Don't honk at other drivers to indicate disapproval of their driving. Some of them are aggressive nuts, as you noticed.

Also, never stop so close to a car in front of you that you can't drive around it. Nothing beats the muzzle energy of a several-thousand-pound vehicle.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rafael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would not have done what you did. That could land me in jail for brandishing or worse. For all you know he was walking back to apologize, or to ask directions. That's how the prosecutor will put it when you land in court.

I agree that you should be prepared, and if you are allowed to have a loaded weapon on the seat next to you, you could always set it there before he gets close enough to see it.

While I don't like seeing assholes get away with anything, the best course would likely have been for your girl to dial 911 and for you to await a threat that calls for the reaction you had.

Just my opinion. </div></div>

Very valid point. FYI. My gun was in my holster in the console so when I grabbed it I was holding it by the grip but it never did leave the holster as that would have potentially brought about a whole new world of issues. I updated to make that point clear.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The horn is to alert other drivers who aren't paying attention. Don't honk at other drivers to indicate disapproval of their driving. Some of them are aggressive nuts, as you noticed.

Also, never stop so close to a car in front of you that you can't drive around it. Nothing beats the muzzle energy of a several-thousand-pound vehicle.

</div></div>

He caught me off guard by slamming his brakes to stop at the green light to stop me. Usually I try and leave myself an out.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

There is a guy in Boise right now who is staring down the barrel of a felony for doing almost exactly what you just did . Its called Felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon . He was arrested and held on 50,000 dollars bail and now faces steep legal bills along with the possibility of going to prison and losing his constitutional rights .

Until your in fear for your life or the life of someone else the piece should stay put . If you bring it into play it should be to fire it .

Thats just my opinion and as per the norm it is worth exactly what you paid for it .
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

Nothing wrong with leaving the weapon below the dashboard and giving verbal commands to get away from you. If I shot every aggressive panhandler that was acting like a nut and banging on my hood I would go through a lot of windshields.

I know alot of people like to talk about not giving up ground but unless Im abandoning someone who needs protecting I would not hesitate to flee before having to use force. I would rather jacknife my trailer and damage a hitch before I had to shoot someone.

Having been through that merri-go-round on the LE side I would not even give it a second thought to pushing his car out of the way or driving over landscaping etc to avoid shooting him.

Also untraining your reflex to honk at assholes will save you a ton of problems. I do alot of work in Oakland and if I honked at everyone that did that I would wear out my horn and bring myself a lot of grief.
 
Re: Thought I may be forced to shoot him.

The way I've heard it, the first one to call 911 is usually the credible source.

I still have some growing up to do apparently as I can't help hitting the horn when someone driving like an asshole almost kills me. It is literally the least passive thing I am willing to do, now. With my wife and girls in the truck I may get even angrier but still leave it at horn and maybe my favorite finger! If I think they are drunk I'll call it in.

Yes, some asshole may get unhinged that I take umbrage at their lethal driving, but I'm still too hardheaded to just take it completely up the ass without lube.

I don't bother discussing it with them, and I'm too old to get into a boxing match with some street hood, lazily low driving in his baby mamma's KIA, while she's at work. Any feedback from the asshole and I call it in.

Not looking for a confrontation, just pointing out that I know they are an asshole.

And on those occasions, rare though they may be, when I screw up, I apologize with a wave, and proceed on my way. Unless there is a collision, there is no need to stop, as it might just turn deadly and felonious.

Additionally, I have 9 inches of ground clearance under my Ram and never leave myself boxed in, just in case.