[Frank in MD]

It's great that there are so many experts here that know exactly what to do at that exact moment. When in reality almost no one knows exactly how they might react in such a situation. It's equally awesome to see perfect strangers cast aspersions on each other for voicing an opinion.

Unbelievable.

My take, I don't think anyone is saying go Dirty Harry on anyone over a car. I don't discount human life, and I didn't see anyone else in this thread suggest that they did not value a life. I did read a few posts from a few people who belittled other forum members for suggesting that they might have decided to defend themselves though. Look, not every person who owns a firearm, that feels ok defending themselves, is a cowboy. Furthermore, I feel there are a few apologies in order. Having said all that, anyone who then deems a hammer weilding man as not a threat, that openly threatens you that might be mentally unstable, is not a sane or rational person.

I can only hope I am never in such a situation where I have to make a judgement call like that. If I am, it would probably haunt me to the end of my days. However, in my opinion you do have an obligation to your fellow peaceful human beings that are capable of living peacefully with the rest of society without posing a threat to either yourself, or your property. There are evil people in the world. Many of which are very capable of inflicting grevious harm to not only yourself and your property, but to the people you love.

That man is a timebomb, one that's probably going to go off at somepoint. I'm sorry he's had a hard life, I'm sorry he might be mentally incapacitated. I'm not sorry enough that I'd be willing to look someone's mom in the eye and explain that her child had to die because I felt sorry for homeless man with a hammer.