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Quote: "Unless you ride, you will never understand the frustration of having your life inches from being taken ... "

As the OP on this thread, I did not think about it evolving into so much biker vs "cage driver" discussion, but I guess that should not be surprising. I obtained my first bike and license in 1967 - and have kept the motorcycle license renewd to this day. Some great memories there - and scar tissue. Upon moving to the Metromess from "wide open spaces" in 1979, it became obvious there was, for me anyway, simply more risk than reward with any type of motorcycle in the craziness of DFW traffic. And traffic has got much worse, especially with the popularity of cell phones. Once again, some of us have found that, with age, the brain tends to get bigger and the balls get smaller.

A 30-something yo female student (let's call her "Beth") told me 3 or 4 years ago about confrontation also directly related to 9.04 and 9.32. Beth was meeting some friends for dinner at near downtown Dallas. She had just parallel parked her truck and got out when she was approached by a female methhead?/panhandler. Beth said the panhandler lady was quite discheveled looking and asking for money. Beth told her something to the effect of "No, stay away from me." , then got back in her truck and locked the door when the woman continued to approach her.

The woman then approached her drivers side window and said "What? Are you skeeeeered? I just need a little money." Beth then responded with something the rules here do not allow repeating. Let's just say she not-so-politely included a four letter word in a phrase suggesting the lady vacate her personal space. The panhandler became enraged and began beating on the window with both fists, at which point she got to see up close and personal the business end of a Kahr CW-9. Then promptly decided it was time to leave THAT lady alone. Once she was well on down the street, Beth then got out of her truck and went to find her friends in the restaurant. And did not bother to call the police.

To me, both of these incidents are examples of the many, many times each year that firearms are legitimately "shown-but-not-shot" to terminate a potentially violent encounter. Some reported to the police, but many times not.

Questions: "Greybeard, is Ron a friend of yours? Do you know him or her?"

He did original license class with me years ago and at least one, maybe two renewals. Approaching retirement age, not known to be "attention seeker" nor any reason for me to believe fabricated.

A cut and paste below of e-mail received today by "Ron" (not his real name).
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Sent: Tue, May 14, 2013 21:47:27 GMT+00:00
Subject: Had to Draw my Gun Today

I had a motorcyclist chase me down and bang on my car window while screaming at me while I sat at a light. I had no idea what his problem was.

Then he continued to “chase” me screaming and weaving all over the road. As I entered the street where I’m currently working he followed and I had one choice.

Bring his risk to the work place or stop it there. I stopped my car in the road and he crashed into the back of it. He gets off the road and proceeds to scream and bang on the window. He tries to open the door. He takes off his gear and I expect him to try and break the glass so brandished my firearm and tell him to leave me alone.

He backed off and I called 911 and explained.

The cops came, had me step out with my hands up. I explained all to them and they told the guy he was completely at fault; warned him not to chase people and follow so close. They did not bill it as a traffic accident. They returned my firearm and I went on my way.

It was interesting that the cop told the guy that this was Texas as the explanation as to why I pulled a gun on a guy half my age threatening me with violence.

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"He tries to open the door." I believe is the key verbiage in this one for 9.04 to apply. Sounds like the Irving PD also knew about that one.