Interesting thread, I've got a few experiences to share that are relevant to the discussion, the first one involves me, the other two people I knew directly, or indirectly.
1) In my early 20s, guy blatantly cuts me off, I salute him, he goes bannas, making all sorts of gestures, hitting his brakes etc. He pulls over to the curb. I'm pissed, and figure that I will pull over and see where this goes, as I'm not the type to back down.
Guy gets out his car, first. I don't want him to damage my car, so I get out and stand by the door of my car. Idiot comes toward me, and tells me he's going to "kick my A". I take that stuff serious, so as soon as he gets within arms length (I never walked toward him...), I used both hands to push/strike him right in the sternum (with palms). Guy goes flying backward a few feet into the side of my car, I ball up my fist getting ready for the uppercut as soon as he straightens up. Instead, as soon as he got a breath back, he says, "you assaulted me." I say, you are a (female cat), and told him he should think twice about getting out of his car, telling me that he is going to kick my ***, while charging toward me!
I get in my car, he flashes a prison guard badge and tells me to give him my license. I tell him if he wants to contest this, he can get my lisence plate #, but if he did, he would regret it. Never heard back from him.
Lesson, very stupid for pulling over, and getting out! I was young and full of pepsi and vinegar, I was used to fighting (literally) for what I felt was right, and was conditioned to stand up for myself. Good thing he didn't have a knife, or gun, or a tire iron...
2) Traffic altercation, one town next to my hometown. Two guys get out of their car to confront each other. One guy, can you believe, had a tire iron. Tire iron guy cracks the unarmed guy over the head, and kills him on the spot, with the victim's fiancée watching, in horror, from the passenger seat.
Lesson, very stupid, and tragic for getting out of the car.
3) Traffic altercation where a guy, gets upset with another guy driving a company van. Agressor gets out of his car at a red light, goes back to guy driving company van (nowhere for him to go). Company guy STAYS IN the van. Agressor pulls him out of van, and beats the heck out of him, sending him to the hospital, intensive care, lucky to be alive.
Lesson, lock the door, try to drive away, or get out and defend yourself, as you are in a much better position while on your feet!
So, I'm older now, more in control of logic and reason, and have two kids, a house, money in the bank, and guns I want to continue to own. I will choose to avoid stupid confrontations whenever possible. As a CCW, I especially avoid this type of thing, as I have a responsibility to not put myself in a situation where a gun may need to be used. If something happens where a gun is necessary it will because I have been attacked, and had no other reasonable option.
If avoidance is not possible, I will aggressively defend myself, with force appropriate the situation. No weapons, if at all possible! I would certainly consider a person coming at me with a tire iron to be a deadly threat ( see #2 above). I would warn the agressor that I was armed, and to back away. If he came within striking distance, I would defend myself; I don't run as fast as I used to, and will not be killed with my back turned.
