Wow, I didn't realize this thread was going to grow that fast
I think I'm repeating a few things, but I feel a need to clarify my previous post:
1) The person proves his intent to cause harm.
2) He is only 20' away (tuller drill, as mentioned)
3) He has a weapon.
4) The individual is in the process of attacking me - he is charging.
At this point, I have already got others who I have to protect and need to try to get back in the car. The individual is too close for me to turn my back, and I don't remember the scenario including anyone else to watch him for me. The idea of retreat doesn't work - kids to deal with, and the individual is too close. If I feel there's time, I'll call out, "Everyone back in the car!". Either way, I'll call out, "You! Stop!" while I draw. If he stops the attack and becomes a non-threat, I will watch him leave, and call the police with a description.
At this point, it's a good shoot. If it wasn't, I do not plan to draw.
5) He continues to advance, now less than 20 feet away.
6) During the advance, he drops the visible weapon.
6 must have happened while I was drawing, since I don't plan on hesitating.
He is still a threat. He sees me, pointing a gun at him. He is still attacking me. He has already expressed intent to do serious bodily harm. He has changed the playing field, saying "You can't shoot me now", apparantly with the intent of making it harder for me to defend myself against the imminent assault.
I defend myself. If it's safe, I holster my weapon.
I get the kids into the car.
I call the police, state where I am, that a man of such-and-such description assaulted myself and my family, and I have defended them. An ambulance is necessary. My description is so-and-so. Restate location.
I call my family, explaining that this is an emergency, and I need someone to come to wherever I am and pick up the kids. If I'm not there, call the local police to determine my location.
I call my attorney.
I wait for the police, and try to calm down the kids.
When the police arrive, I hand them my license, and my other license. I say, "that man", and point, "tried to kill us, and I stopped him. I have family on the way, to help handle my kids. I expect them to arrive in X minutes."
I expect to go to jail, at least for the night, and take out a second mortgage to pay the attorney.
Now, in specific response to, "you can't use a gun to solve all situations," you're right. A firearm is to be used only when there is no other solution that will effectively stop the assailant. In the scenario you provided, the firearm was the most appropriate tool to use. Pepper spray is not the appropriate level of force against a man charging into my family while weilding baseball bat, when I'm the only defence around. It's not not appropriate to change to a different weapon just because he wants an easier time killing me (as he's already indicated he wants to do).
I'm going to defend myself and my family from whatever threats I see, in whatever manner I belive is most appropriate. If voice, spray, fist, firearm, or human shield is the best way to do that, then that's my duty to my family.
Edited to fix a spelling mistake (may have missed more
).