The Use of Deadly Force: My Thoughts at The End Of The Article

From John: I was riding my motorcycle with my buddy and a guy in a truck almost ran him over at an intersection. He beeped his horn at the guy, and we continued down the road. 

A short time later we pulled into a gas station to get a soda. This crazy guy pulls up and starts yelling at us. My friend called him some choice words in return. 

The man then went to his truck and retrieved a baseball bat. I was carrying a pistol in a fanny pack with a tear open draw string. I quickly drew my pistol and the man stopped in his tracks and returned to his truck and sped off. 

Unsure of what the guy might do if he returned, we hopped on the freeway and left the area quickly. It was quite unnerving, and the adrenaline pump did not go away for several hours.

1.) You got into an argument on the highway. (Road Rage)

2.) You stopped at a gas station for refreshments. (good)

3.) The other vehicle pulls in with you. (not good)

4.) Heated words were exchanged. (Why escalate and not deescalate the situation, both were wrong).

5.) The truck owner pulls out a baseball bat. (bad choice by truck owner).

6.) Friend pulls out a gun, not from a holster, a fanny pack. Really?  (Do you have a CCW? Did you point it at the truck driver? Why didn’t you call the 911 and advise you brandished a firearm at a possible attacker? Was the baseball bat enough for you to brandish a firearm or use deadly force? What would you have done if you pulled the trigger and killed him? 

7.) Then you fled the scene. (another bad choice).

Remember you just brandished a firearm against another person. You should have immediately called 911 and gave your account of what happened the location, your name, a firearm was brandished, and location of firearm back in its holster, or in this case fanny pack and then hang up.  If you were at a gas station they have cameras everywhere. Your account of what happened, if telling the facts would have helped your situation. When the police arrive do everything they say. Keep your hands in the air, don't even flinch. Then invoke your 4th and 5th amendment rights. You'll going to need an attorney at this point. 

All participants made critical mistakes. Brandishing a firearm and or baseball bat in self-defense will be looked at closely. Both could have been charged with a first-class misdemeanor or worse a felon. 

Motorcyclist, John,  you needed to report this before the other person made a report. You know the old story, two sides of an incident will never be the same.

Anytime you banish a firearm it must be reported. Deescalate the situation. Don’t continue to throw gas on the fire. No one ever wins. This could have been very bad for all involved.