re: I almost pulled my weapon on someone this morning.

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For a broken tail light???? Does prison appeal to you?

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I was assuming he would come after me if I stopped.

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Okay, that's what I did. I thought my OP explained that.

I guess my question was what if he punched out my window? Or pulled my door handle to open my door?

shite was going down fast I and I was making split second decisions...

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”Were you in fear of losing your life.” Any time the answer to that is yes, pull it- and use it.

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Negative, castle doctrine does not apply to a vehicle

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Damn baw. Hope you're not carrying in Louisiana. Might want to brush up on the laws. If he was coming through the window you could legally shoot him. Much easier just to drive off though.

My hand would have been on my gun. Had he broken the window, it would have escalated to him being shot 2-3x.

Kicking a door? No gun.

Pretty simple.

Entering the vehicle with me in it is a death sentence. I saw a meth head pull a pick axe and try and kill someone on airline.

People are nuts.

Gun is pulled only if I plan on using it.

A tail light or a dent in my vehicle isn't the type of thing I want to shot someone over.

If they damaged my vehicle I would keep moving to a safe area and call the cops for a report.

I'll kick a drunks arse all day w/o a pistol and file an insurance claim for the tail light.

If my wife or daughter is in vehicle is a different set of rules.

I have a piece of copper cable w/ grip tape under the seat. I reeaally dont want to grab that S&W.

Clyde, you've been on this board a good amount and always post quality stuff. Don't doubt yourself. Sounds like you handled it properly. If said guy was that strung out it wouldn't have done any good and would have made it worse, as in, you'd have had to use it.

Don't be afraid to shoot in an instant, but trust your instincts.

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From a distance, probably should of called police regardless to prevent the next situation

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Agreed. I'm surprised it to so long for someone to make this rec.

I think you did the right thing to remove yourself from the situation. It doesn't sound as if you had reason to think you were ever at risk of significant injury. Remember, your vehicle is generally a safe place to be and will usually give you means for making a quick escape from a situation. Drawing a gun when he's beating on the window MIGHT have de-escalated the situation OR it might've worsened the situation. The best/safest thing to do was to swallow any pride and leave. Sounds like you were genuinely rattled so I can understand not calling the police, but it would've been good too so from a safe distance the police could've responded to the crazy guy. Had he damaged your vehicle I would've suggested driving to a safe distance and calling the police. Even in situations where the law would allow someone to legally pull a gun, safely leaving the situation is usually still the better choice. On a side note, always leave room for your car to escape w/o being boxed in.

Did you report it?

If your window is rolled down and he reaches inside your vehicle and you perceive his intent as hostile, THAT is a violation of the Castle Doctrine. If he breaks your window and reaches in, that's a violation. If he opens your door and reaches in, that's a violation. That's the law here in Virginia. Been down that road a couple of years ago. Fortunately, for me and him, I didn't have to shoot him.