AARRGGUHHH!!! The stupid ignorance around here is sometimes so overwhelming. I got to post 39 before I blew a fuse...(yuk-yuk)
All utilities have an EASEMENT to the service demarkation point - in this case THE METER. It is in fact owned by the utility. When you sign up for the service you agree to this. To tamper with or deny access is illegal and they can and will call the cops.
Further smart meters DO NOTHING except display your usage. It cannot turn off anything unless there are switches installed on your appliances that interface with the meter. Pulling a gun on utility worker can an should get you jail time. End of rant.
Did we also agree in writing to allow ourselves to be manhandled by power company employees? The point that you and several others are (deliberately) missing is that
the woman did not revela her weapon until she had been "pushed out of the way," in other words ASSAULTED. The installer was within his rights until he touched the woman. At that point, he lost all legal authority and became an assailant. The proper course of action would have been to leave and report the incident ot his superiors.
I was a surveyor for a while. I had plenty of people get in my face over some silly fenceline dispute or old propety corner. I even had one guy knock over the Theodolite. In all cases, the proper action was to remain polite, leave, and report the incident. I have no doubt that some of those angry old geezers would have blown me away if I had shoved them, but it never entered my mind to do so. Assaulting homeowners on their own property should get you jail time...or dead at the hands of the homeowner. End of rant.