I'd like to see a Kentucky jury convict someone for defending his car with a handgun. Not that I disagree with the law. Just sayin'.
Also, if the assailant pushed her or knocked her over it might qualify as an assault.
I never thought of this before, but there is a real disadvantage to having a car with the refuel port on the passenger side.
Well, the article says he "rushed by her" - sort of implies that he didn't assault her. It would be totally different if he had any contact or communication with her which would make her feel she was in danger herself. Under that circumstance, she would be within the parameters of the law to defend herself. The law is very clear about that in KY - if you feel you are in danger or you see someone else in danger - you have the right to use a gun to "stop the fight".
If the guy just rushed past her, jumped in her unlocked car and started the ignition with her keys that were already there - a Kentucky jury would have to discern if she would have felt sufficiently threatened to use force with a gun. Knowing Kentucky juries - my bet would be that she'd have a 50/50 chance of having them agree with her!
By the way, although I live in a relatively safe place - I habitually lock my car any time I leave it, even briefly. The minute I get in my car in the driveway, the first thing I do is lock the car doors. The same with my house - if I take a walk up the street - I lock my house. If I am at home, my house is locked at all times. That's just the kind of shitty world we live in now.