Should I have reported this to the police?

Question

I was on my way home from work the other night, and stopped at a light. The light turned green, but the guy in front of me didn't go for a few seconds, so I beeped my horn real quick to get his attention. He then went. We got to another light, and he suddenly got out of his car, and started walking over to me. He asked "Do you have a ******* problem?" I politely told him no, and that I was just trying to get his attention, and not intending to anger him. He got furious, like he had been having a horrible day. I couldn't just drive away, because his car was right in front of me and there were cars piled behind me that kept going around me due to him not moving. He acted as if he was going to get violent, and he started to reach in my window. I grabbed my stun gun and zapped him in the arm with it. He fell to the ground for a minute, and at this point, I was able to find room to back up and drive away. He got back up and was yelling, but I couldn't hear him.

Answer 1

I suppose you could have if you wanted to file charges on him. You didn't do anything wrong. Like you said, you put your own life first. It's not like you stuck around and continued to beat him after he was down. You did what you had to do, and left. That's considered reasonable force. Don't listen to people like gator. It's people like him that make people afraid to defend themselves. I suppose gator would have let the man reach in his car and beat him up and who knows what else. You have a right to defend yourself in this country. Please vote gator down, because he's either trolling, or mislead. Either way, he can give people the wrong impression, and people who are truly asking for advice might get the wrong idea and might be the next person to fall prey to an attack.

Stun guns are legal to carry in most states. You don't need a special permit or license to carry them. There are exceptions if your state bans them, but I'm assuming your state doesn't.

Further edit: You're right. Stun guns are legal in Washington. I live in Washington myself.

It seems like the "Top Contributer"s on here are idiots. Windy, did he read that he can NOT roll up his window? You're saying that he ASSUMED that the guy was going to get violent? Do you think that a man walking violently toward your car, reaching inside is NOT going to get violent? You're saying he needs special training to own a stun gun? I own TWO stun guns, and you do not need such permit. You can't kill anyone with a stun get. Go read some basic info on them before you make an a$$ of yourself on here. I didn't know people could be so stupid. Go call the WSP before you start sounding like an ignorant jacka$$. Thank god for you that you're behind a computer, so people can't point you out in public and realize how big of a moron you are.

"The one under your bed" is another grade A Idiot who didn't even read the entire question. Good luck on chasing me in my car after you get up. I hope you can run 35 + mph.

Answer 2

I dont know what the legalities are in carrying a stun gun.  It isnt too late to contact the police if you are worried, though.  It might take a laod off your mind if you do.  You might want to check first as to the legalities in carrying and using a stun gun.

Answer 3

If you had called the police, you would be in jail and he would have a nice lawsuit against you. He could have gone into cardiac arrest. You could have rolled up you window  and remained silent.

Answer 4

maybe all the states will pass laws like we got here in Louisiana.....

if some one approaches you in your vehicle in a threatening manner, you can defend yourself in any way possible, even so far as shooting and killing them. and it is 100% justified.

Governor Foster passed this measure because of the high number of car-jacking and people robbed at red-lights.

Answer 5

should have called 911

Answer 6

You should have because now he could file charges against you and claim you didn't have reason to discharge that thing. And you don't even know who witnessed what was going on who could back your story up!

And where the h**l did a civilian get a taser?! That seems wrong and dangerous.

Answer 7

Good for you,Scott! unfortunately a lot of top contributor's get that way by answering questions the have not a clue about!

Answer 8

You should have used your cellphone and called the police.  If you rolled your windows up and had your door locked you would have been fine.  I think you acted too quick.  If you used a stun gun on him you probably could have killed him.  If they are legal, you must have to have training or be certified to carry one.  I can't see an ordinary citizen carrying one--everybody would be zapping someone.  If someone has a bad heart you could have killed him.  If he were high on drugs, he would have killed you.

I believe you encountered someone with road rage but I can't agree that you acted in the right manner.  You don't know if he was going to get violent.  You assumed.  You have no idea what could have happened.  If he brought you to court, you would have lost.

Answer 9

There are a lot of whackos out there, you did good.  When he reached toward you, you had every right to protect yourself and your property!  I would have reported this person to the police if I had his license plate #.  Good luck and stay careful.  God Bless.

Answer 10

Don't you have to be a cop or in law enforcement to have a stun gun?  I doubt anyone can get a permit to carry one.  You're lucky you didn't kill the guy or when he got up him kill you.  If you shot me with one I would have been chasing you after I regained consciousness!

Answer 11

if you reported all this to the police i think you would be in trouble.

Answer 12

i dont think you did anything wrong so i think you are fine