Almost had to draw my weapon on some fool tonight-kinda long

[seamusTX]

It's not that hard to find right-drive cars. I've often wondered why more rural postal carriers don't get them instead of the rather screwy arrangements they often have to convert left-drive cars to dual-drive.

Rural letter carriers get paid so little, they probably can't afford a vehicle just for their job.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

Thanks to all for a very educational and thought provoking post!

[Mcoupe]

I had the same issue happen to me. It was night and I had my gun but also a G2 Surefire light. I almost pulled out the gun, but used the flashlight on the guy and screamed that I was dialing 911. He was disoriented enough to slow his advance. He screamed several more obscenities and got back in his car. I was breathing pretty hard there for several minutes after. My wife was with me and she had her hand on her Model 642.

So here I am with a flashlight, my wife ready to pull her gun and the guy leaves. It worked out!!!

[CHLSteve]

He wasn't driving a teal-green Ford pickup truck was he? ;)

You are at least the 2nd person that brought up the possible use of a flashlight in this situation. I think like that option for nighttime encounters. At the very least, they won't be able to see what you are doing, and it puts them at a distinct disadvantage. If it keeps you, me, or anybody else from having to shoot then I'm all for it. Mentally, I am prepared to defend myself and family against a "bad guy". But the line gets blurry when you are talking about an average joe, who probably just had a bad day at work and is now acting out some seriously ill-timed road rage. Yes, it can still be dangerous, but I think the situation deserves extra deescalation efforts based on who you (think) you're dealing with. I guess that's a judgment call we all have to make. I chose to go with my gut that this guy did not pose a real threat to me after he got out of his car. He stormed around for a few seconds, and then got in his truck and left. It could have been very different, very quickly.

Can we revisit the idea of "drawing your gun, and letting the BG see it, but not pointing it at them?" My friend told me this week that he was actually TOLD to do this by his CHL instructor. I think the example he used was a lady trapped in her car, waiting for a train to go by. A strange man approaches the window of her car. She takes out her gun and places it on the dash, telling the man, "Go away! Leave me alone! You're scaring me!" The gun provides additional warning to the man I guess?

I told my friend that I was under the complete opposite impression from my experiences and instruction. In fact, I think Mr. El Gato said himself during our CHL class not to draw your gun until you were prepared to use it (and/or legally justified to use deadly force).

Is there such a thing as brandishing in Texas?

[boomerang]

Is there such a thing as brandishing in Texas?

There's 22.02. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT and 22.05. DEADLY CONDUCT and 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER (intentionally fails to conceal)

[seamusTX]

In fact, I think Mr. El Gato said himself during our CHL class not to draw your gun until you were prepared to use it (and/or legally justified to use deadly force).

El Gato's class had a very good example of why displaying a weapon in this situation is not a good idea:

If you display a weapon, the other guy can call 911 and report that you threatened him. And he will be able to describe your weapon.

In the case of the man approaching the blocked-in car, if he has not said or done anything threatening, there's no justification for use of force or threat of force. He may be an ordinary bum or just someone who likes to talk.

In the case of a woman who is alone and a man approaching, she should be on the phone with 911 immediately. She should also give very emphatic directions like, "Go away. Leave me alone." It wouldn't hurt to have that recorded by 911.

As soon as he threatens the use of force to open the vehicle, Castle Doctrine comes into play.

Is there such a thing as brandishing in Texas?

No per se. In addition to the offenses that Boomerang mentioned, there is PC §42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT:

displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm;

- Jim

[KD5NRH]

You are at least the 2nd person that brought up the possible use of a flashlight in this situation. I think like that option for nighttime encounters. At the very least, they won't be able to see what you are doing, and it puts them at a distinct disadvantage.

I have three taclights, (Surefire G2 with the upgraded lamp assembly - 120lumens/20minutes, Brinkmann MaxFire with the Surefire's original lamp assembly - 60lumens/40minutes, and Pelican M3 Xenon - 135lumens/30minutes(3CR123s in the Pelican, 2 each in the others)) and I'm toying with the idea of one of the Fenix lights. I've heard good reviews on all the Fenix products, the prices are reasonable, and the strobe mode is particularly tempting. I keep the Pelican in the car in a cubbyhole by my left knee, and one of the others in my right, inside vest pocket. I've used all three to keep a visibility advantage, but I would like to have to option of going to the 200+ lumen strobe for extra disorientation factor if the situation goes downhill.

[Mcoupe]

I have a 350 lumen Surefire M3 which is pretty handy, but someone tried out a strobe light at me and the flashing lights made me feel kind of sick. It was a weird sensation and it was in a well lit room.

[CHLSteve]

I'm no math wiz, but if you've got a tactical light, gun, cell phone to call 911, and maybe a hand to roll up/down your window--that's a few extra hands.

I suppose the two most important ones would be your gun and cell phone, with the window control coming in 3rd. If your wife/husband/friend could call 911 for you, that gives you at least one more free hand to take care of things.

[lanternlad]

Never draw unless you are ready to shoot. Never shoot unless you are willing to kill.

I find it helpful to have boundary lines in these cases. My boundary line in this case is the car itself. Were I you, and he had touched my car from the outside in any way, I'd have drawn and fired. (but you never know what you are going to do until it happens to you...)

Its obvious this man was trying to provoke you for some reason, whether he knew it or not. Some people just don't think. Supposed you HAD emerged from that car and he found out the hard way that you were Hulk Hogan or something? He would have had a merry christmas in the emergency room. Sounds like he almost did anyway. Shame to think that even such nice little towns like Friendswood have come to this. All's well that ends well, you did the right thing in this situation. Just remember, if you ever HAVE to shoot someone, DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO THE POLICE - EVER.

Let your lawyer do the talking.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08fZQWjD ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldgringo]

Steve,

Good job, Steve. You handled YOUR situation well. As for the rest of us, only time will tell how we handle OUR situation. Every team wins on Monday morning.

In the meantime, this has been a most enlightening and educational thread. Thanks to all.

[CHLSteve]

Never draw unless you are ready to shoot. Never shoot unless you are willing to kill.

I agree 100%

Were I you, and he had touched my car from the outside in any way, I'd have drawn and fired.

Really? Even if he was kicking your tire, or pounding on your hood with his fists? Kill him for that? I ask in earnest, because it is very different from what I would do. I would only shoot if he tried to enter my vehicle, or produced a weapon that could do harm from outside the car (like a crowbar through the windshield).

[lanternlad]

That is the boundary I have set. If he was trying to damage my car or gain entry in any way, it's go time. But that's me. I consider my car the same as my home when I'm out in it, and I have no compunctions about using force on someone trying to damage it or gain entry to it. Its legal to stop someone from stealing or damaging your property, and its legal to defend yourself. I don't know whats going through his mind as he's pounding on my hood. Is he going to go away? Is he going to get bolder and try to get in somehow? Who knows? But I'm not speaking through my hat in any case. This boundary line worked well when a creep tried to get into my wife's car at a stop sign in Rice Village. He grabbed the door, she grabbed her snubbie, and put the CTC laser right on his nose. Luckily, he ran off before she could fire. It happens just that fast.

[Oldgringo]

That is the boundary I have set. If he was trying to damage my car or gain entry in any way, it's go time. But that's me. I consider my car the same as my home when I'm out in it, and I have no compunctions about using force on someone trying to damage it or gain entry to it. Its legal to stop someone from stealing or damaging your property, and its legal to defend yourself. I don't know whats going through his mind as he's pounding on my hood. Is he going to go away? Is he going to get bolder and try to get in somehow? Who knows? But I'm not speaking through my hat in any case. This boundary line worked well when a creep tried to get into my wife's car at a stop sign in Rice Village. He grabbed the door, she grabbed her snubbie, and put the CTC laser right on his nose. Luckily, he ran off before she could fire. It happens just that fast.

Yours must be a pretty cool car that you're willing to go to prison after paying $$,$$$ (+/-) in legal fees to protect its finish.

[Bart]

If the guy is being violent I wouldn't wait for him to cause serious bodily injury to me or my family.