I had to several years ago . There had been a suspicious vehicle seen on my dead end road one afternoon. About 10:15-10:30 pm somebody came all the way down my drive (it's very private and over 1/4 mile off the dead end road). The headlights shone in my bedroom window for a few seconds then they backed up and left. I jumped out of bed and into my truck then flew to the end of the drive. They were parked with no lights just onto the dead end road. I got out with my tactical streamlight and Beretta 9mm. I shined the lights directly into their eyes. One was a man about 45-50 and the other was a teenaged boy. They claimed they were looking for a town in Mississippi that was close to two hours away.Then they claimed their fuse blew and the headlights didn't work. The whole time I had the Beretta ready to fire if need be. I lowered the light so they could see the pistol with the hammer cocked and told them if they had a flashlight to use it and leave . They stuttered when they saw the pistol and jumped in the car and left with the headlights working ( imagine that). Anyway they had dropped a piece of paper and with help from the sheriff we found out he was a known meth head and was probably looking for a place to make and sell .They never came back. A few of my friends asked what I would have done if they had tried to rush me or pull a gun. Well they didn't. I can honestly say if they would have I would have protected myself and shot. I was always taught if you pull your gun you better be prepared to use it without hesitation. In this crazy world we live it pays to be prepared.

I pulled mine and fortunately for the guy it had a long trigger pull cause I was slowly squeezing as he walked towards me in the dark and me telling him to stop.He finally said "you know me" and I slightly recognized the voice so I let off the trigger.He almost died that night being a crackhead and I woulda likely ended up in prison.After everything settled down I bout got sick thinking about it all.

I have, more times than I can count or remember.

To be clear, if you didn't figure it out already, that was at work as a LEO, never when off duty, or prior to my LEO career.

Not I handgun, but I have had to pull my trusty ole Mossberg a few times

Never pulled it, but I was on edge and ready once a few months ago.

In civilian life I've pulled my handgun twice and a shotgun once

several times as a lEO, never a handgun as a civilian. I prefer a shotgun myself, have used one several times. It is way more effective in defusing a problem than any handgun.

Never pulled it but nearly did when I had a democrat sneaking up on me while I was looking at a job for work once. He was nearly on me before I heard him. When I saw him, I spun around and went for my pistol. He must have known what was coming and started screaming he was only going to ask me for a light for his cigarette. I dog cussed him and told him to get out of there to which he obliged.

I never have, but I was on the very verge of pulling one time. Long story short, I was in a parking lot. Just as pulled up, there was a fight between a guy and a girl. Slaps and punches.

One of the girls recognized me and called for help. He rushed me, but stopped about 20 ft away. He was screaming threats at me like " I'll f@ckin kill you dog!"

I had a car between us or I would have pulled anyway. It turned into a stare down. His car was right by mine and he wouldn't come any closer, but wouldn't go back towards the girls. Cops got there within 2 minutes but it seemed like an hour. It turned out he was a known drug user and dealer with a domestic violence charge.

I had my family with me and they were terrified. I was settled and knew exactly what I would have done had he taken another step. It was like it was all in slow motion. I was ok till we went in the restaurant to set down, then I got the shakes and waa about sick. Took me 30 mins to settle down.

Military will not be discussed.

Twice in civi life. Both times I fired it in anger (emptied the magazine once, fired a warning round and a very narrowly missed second round the other time) and was amazed that the perps lived both times.

We moved a couple weeks after the second incident.

Me

Reader's Digest version, but once held a shotgun on a guy who had been to a concert, was under the influence, and broke into the wrong townhouse. 3 am and I met him coming up the stairs as I was going down them. Afterwards the police office told me he would have shot the guy. I almost did, could have only been just a little travel left in that old Western Auto shotgun trigger, but thankfully was able to take control without shooting. After it was over, playing the what ifs, I'm certain if he had, in his state, stumbled forward... Well, I couldn't sleep anymore that night.

I never have, but I decided long ago what I would do should the situation warrant it.

A few observations / things to consider:

1. A man can cover 30' really quickly if he wants to.
2. Folks jacked up on meth can take a lot of rounds and keep coming.
3. A man with a knife (who's been trained to use it) can kill a man holding a gun if the man holding the gun is not prepared to use it.
4. If the SHTF situation really occurs, you may only have milliseconds to react to save your life and the life of your family/others. Make the decision NOW about what you're willing to do then, cause you'll really only have time to react then.

Twice

Twice.

Yes. Carry some sort of blade too ya'll.

Multiple as LEO. Never as a civilian thank the Lord. If I'm pulling my firearm as a civilian, it means someone else pulled a knife or firearm and is trying to kill or injure me. Also saw idiot civilians as a LEO almost lose or actually lose their freedom for improper display of a firearm. Don't be that idiot!

I have once, on a thief.

Good points to consider CR, I Never had to yet thankfully.

I wish I had had a weapon once, I truly needed it! It only takes a life experience like I had to change your mind about using a weapon if needed. If I EVER have a situation like that again, pulling it and using it will not be a problem. Many women think they are ready for that moment, but I am afraid that most times, the element of surprise does not allow them time to reach their defense.