This would be a VERY realistic scenario if the US escalated the personal handgun arms race to the point where it was a NORM that cyclists packed heat for protection:
Driver pulls a bit too close to cyclist, likely unintentionally, but enough for the cyclist to feel his life was threatened. Cyclist shouts, screams, and stays up. Manages to pull up beside to the slowing driver who's wondering what all the screaming is about.
Cyclists shouts "WTF (etc) !!!!" and a big shouting match ensues (as it does already). Cyclist is prepared and busts out his true and trusted handgun, because he feels legitimately threatened now, since a guy in a big vehicle that can be used to run him over, is arguing with him.
Guy in the car seems the handgun, and instantly fears for his life. Because society's handgun carry rate has escalated to the point that even most cyclists are packing, of course Mr. driver is packing as well. He does what he (and many of us today) would consider reasonable when confronted by an angry guy brandishing a gun - he fires on that guy.
In the span of seconds, one or both guys are shot. Likely over nothing.
This is a good reality for us to support, right?
Driver pulls a bit too close to cyclist, likely unintentionally, but enough for the cyclist to feel his life was threatened. Cyclist shouts, screams, and stays up. Manages to pull up beside to the slowing driver who's wondering what all the screaming is about.
Cyclists shouts "WTF (etc) !!!!" and a big shouting match ensues (as it does already). Cyclist is prepared and busts out his true and trusted handgun, because he feels legitimately threatened now, since a guy in a big vehicle that can be used to run him over, is arguing with him.
Guy in the car seems the handgun, and instantly fears for his life. Because society's handgun carry rate has escalated to the point that even most cyclists are packing, of course Mr. driver is packing as well. He does what he (and many of us today) would consider reasonable when confronted by an angry guy brandishing a gun - he fires on that guy.
In the span of seconds, one or both guys are shot. Likely over nothing.
This is a good reality for us to support, right?