A brother and sister feared for their lives when their next-door neighbour produced a handgun during a street disturbance.
Matthew James Powell, who had been drinking heavily all day, pointed the pistol at the man and threatened: "I'll shoot you.''
The shocked victim held his nerve and told Powell four times to put the gun down. His sister ran indoors to call the police.
Powell finally put the weapon in his jacket pocket and walked off – only to be arrested moments later and told to lay on the ground.
The firearm turned out to be a BB gun, which fired plastic pellets, but resembled a semi-automatic pistol, Leicester Crown Court was told. Powell (29) was jailed for 12 months after admitting possessing an imitation firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, and possessing a small amount of cannabis, on April 14.
Judge Philip Head praised the victim, saying he showed "extraordinary courage" when faced with what looked like a real weapon.
Sentencing Powell, he said: "You started a weekend of binge drinking. It was a prolonged incident with an imitation gun that you intended should be thought of as real."
The court heard Powell had been playing outside with the gun, which belonged to his partner's son. Powell said he must have forgotten it was in his jacket pocket.
Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the victims, who lived next-door in Avondale Drive, Barlestone, heard a commotion outside at about 11.30pm.
The brother saw Powell punch his car's rear windscreen, which did not break. He went out to remonstrate with him and prevent further damage.
Powell, who had been locked out of the house by his partner, turned his attention to the next-door neighbour and his sister, shouting abuse.
He threw his coat on the floor and challenged the neighbour to a fight, saying: "Come on then.''
The neighbour backed away and the defendant picked up his coat. Mr Murphy said: "That should have been the end of it, but it wasn't."
Powell said to the neighbour: "Don't follow me or I'll shoot you.''
The neighbour asked: "What with?''
Powell then produced the BB gun and said: "I'll shoot you.''
Jonathan Dunne, mitigating, described Powell's actions as "a moment of madness which he immediately regretted".
Mr Dunne told the court: "He feels awful about it and ashamed. He clearly has a drink problem."
Powell was immediately remorseful on arrest and told officers he had consumed 12 cans of Fosters lager and three vodkas, Mr Dunne said.
