Concealed carriers - question about laws of shooting someone

[ekim22]

I've always wondered this...

I understand that laws change from state to state, but I'm curious of everyone's input. I also understand that no situation is clear cut and there are a lot of factors (how much the police believe you, witnesses, quality of lawyers, the judge, etc)

So anyways, some situations are clearer than others....if someone pulls a gun on you and you draw your weapon and fire back, that's understandable...so is if someone breaks into your home.

My question is, suppose you were walking down the street, carrying a concealed pistol in your waistband. A guy comes up behind you and starts harrassing you, demanding your wallet or he's going to kick your @#@#$@ . He never clearly shows you a firearm...

You draw your weapon and tell him to back off.....he charges at you and starts to swing fists at you....could you shoot? Would you have to wait for him to land a punch? Even if he did land a punch, is punching you considered lethal force & endangering a life?

That's one of the biggest things that bothers me about the idea of a carrying......lawsuits and jailtime if you shoot in self defense.

EDIT: I assume a CCW class would teach you the legality of shooting