NASHUA, N.H. (CBS) —- Paul Jensen was sitting in the driver’s seat of his Ford Taurus in a hospital parking lot in Nashua when police say James Paul suddenly opened up the passenger door.

“As he started to get in, I didn’t have time to think about it, I just reacted, by the time he got in my car, I had my weapon out and pointed at his head,” said Jensen from his home in Nashua today.

Jensen had his loaded handgun within inches of the stranger’s head, holding him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Officers shut down the area after hearing about a gun in the parking lot.

In court today, James Paul, 33, was charged with trying to steal the car as well as with tampering with a fire alarm. Police say he ripped a sprinkler from the ceiling in his jail cell after his arrest.

As for Jensen, police say he is licensed to carry the weapon and they do not fault him for pulling the gun.

“Based on the fear that Mr. Jensen had and based on his actions it does appear that it was appropriate,” said Nashua Police Lieutenant Denis Linehan.

Jensen, 52, says he has no regrets.

“They said he didn’t have a weapon but I didn’t know that, you don’t have time to think about it,” said Jensen. “You have to either react, you’re either a victim or you’re not, I chose not to be a victim.”

Police say Paul admitted to trying to steal the car.

Earlier in the day, Paul was cited for disorderly conduct in nearby Hollis after pounding on the door of a stranger’s house.

Investigators are not sure what may have triggered the series of odd behavior and criminal activity.

Paul was ordered held on $2000 cash bail.

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