I almost just pulled my gun...

[marinville]

...on a guy who may have been trying to steal my car.

I was at my parents' place to let their dog out, because they went away for the weekend. It was about 9:30pm. I had left the car running in the driveway.

When I came outside to leave, the guy was in the driveway. I didn't see him at first. It was dark, and I still never got a good look at him.

When I came off the porch he said excuse me. It startled the shit out of me and all I could think to say was "what" and I was thinking about lighting him up with my flashlight, but I didn't. In retrospect, I should have. He didn't respond but he was walking towards me, probably twenty five feet away.

I said stop there and reached under my shirt. He stopped and didn't do or say anything for a few seconds. Then he asked for a ride to the meadows casino, twice. I just said "no" both times, still with my hand on the handle. Then he just said "alright" and walked off in that direction.

I then got in my car and drove around the block. I came back and sat around for a few minutes to make sure he didn't come back to my parents place. When he didn't return, I left.

I thought about calling the cops, but I didn't. I wasn't sure what I would say and was conflicted about telling them I was carrying and that I was close to drawing. I'm not sure why, but I guess I just don't want unnecessary police contact.

When I left, I saw him again, down the road a bit, waving and trying to flag down cars with a lighter.

In retrospect it occurred to me that the dog had been barking when I let him out, but at the time I thought he just wanted back inside.

Obviously I don't know for sure that he meant any harm or was going to steal the car. I just know he didn't belong in the driveway and he wasn't going to walk any closer.

I'm most glad that I went to let the dog out, and not my wife. Before I left, we had a fight about it, and she almost went instead of me. She does not carry.

In ten years of daily carry I've never been in a situation when I thought I might draw, until now. I'm most bothered by the realization that I didn't truly expect it to happen, and I'm glad that the guy stopped walking when I told him to.

Edit: A couple details I forgot to mention:

I was carrying a S&W model 66, appendix.
I'm not sure if he saw the gun.
I know it was stupid to leave the car running.

[ray h]

I'm glad you didn't have to draw on him. I suspect he may have just been a dumbass looking for a ride, but thankfully we will never know.
The closest I've come to drawing on someone turned out to be a dumbass that woke me up in the middle of the night wanting me to call someone to give him a ride.
Some people are just stupid when it comes to interacting with other people.

[Emptymag]

The responses to this should be great. It will provide much entertainment value over the next few days.
Glad nothing happened.

[marinville]

The responses to this should be great. It will provide much entertainment value over the next few days.
Glad nothing happened.

Why, do you think I acted poorly? Or over-reacted perhaps?

[Emptymag]

Why, do you think I acted poorly? Or over-reacted perhaps?

I don't really have an opinion. (other than "facepalm" at the unattended, running car)
I wasn't there, so I assume you dealt with it the best you could.
There isn't a script, so there's no "one way" to react to something.

I just know how these threads always go - everything from "Good on you for being alert", to "Why are you so itchy to kill someone?", to "RACIST!" (and everything in between)

Sharing this stuff always brings out some wild and unexpected responses - that's all.

[marinville]

I don't really have an opinion. (other than "facepalm" at the unattended, running car)
I wasn't there, so I assume you dealt with it the best you could.
There isn't a script, so there's no "one way" to react to something.

I just know how these threads always go - everything from "Good on you for being alert", to "Why are you so itchy to kill someone?", to "RACIST!" (and everything in between)

Sharing this stuff always brings out some wild and unexpected responses - that's all.

I agree with you that it is stupid to leave the car running. I can only say that it was cold and I was being lazy. That isn't an excuse, but its honest.

I also suppose I felt a false sense of security being at the house I grew up in. The casino was never down the road when I was a kid, however, and the reality is that obviously crime can still happen in a good neighborhood.

It was a stupid decision, without a doubt.

[bluetrane2028]

IANAL, but I don't think deadly force in PA extends to you preventing your vehicle from being stolen.

If you find yourself needing to run the car in the winter to keep it warm, get a remote starter. Moment a foot touches the brake it shuts down.

[marinville]

IANAL, but I don't think deadly force in PA extends to you preventing your vehicle from being stolen.

If you find yourself needing to run the car in the winter to keep it warm, get a remote starter. Moment a foot touches the brake it shuts down.

It wasn't about the car. It was about him advancing on me out of nowhere in the middle of the night. I just needed him to not come any closer. I also don't think my actions would qualify as deadly force. I don't know that anyone has died from a possible glimpse of a holstered firearm and the command to stop.

[marinville]

Perhaps I errored in beginning the OP by mentioning the possibility that the man intended to steal my car. This may give the appearance that the possible theft of the car was my primary concern. In reality, this was not even in my mind at the time. It was only after the fact that I imagined what may have been his intentions.

At the time, I was first concerned that I could not see him well enough. I did have a flashlight, but once he started advancing, stopping his progress became my primary concern.

[scruff]

Good job. Being armed and telling him to stop puts you ahead of at least 95% of the population. The armchair quarterbacks can quibble over the last few percent.