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Story to tell !!

toolsforfoolstoolsforfools Member Posts: 1,285 ✭✭
edited November 2008 in General Discussion
Two nights ago about 10:30 pm I was letting my dogs out front to use the bathroom.I looked over at my neighbors house in his driveway I saw a man tring to jimmy his door open.Before I go futher he and I are good friends and we have had our cars broke into or attempted to break into 3 times in the last 4 weeks.Local police nogood!We have had enough.Back to the story.He did not see me so I got the dogs back in quick.Grabed my Barretta 9mm.I walk toward him got 15 feet from him and hollered to freeze.He spun around screemed O fooey and jumped in the bushes next to the house.I ran around the side with gun pointed at the ground.I cound not see him but I could hear him.I started hollering freeze or I will kill you.No lights on in my neighbors house.I fired 2 rounds in the ground and started hollering my neighbors namee at the top of my voice range,all the time telling this sob in the bushes to freeze or I will kill him.Just as my neighbor open his front door knowing what was going on because we had dicused this before incase it happend and it did.The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming so I fired a round in his direction.Not sure of his intentions.I do not know if i hit him but I cannot find where the bullet logged.It should of hit the shed behind him so i think he is hit.Ten miniutes later the police show up wanting to write me a ticket for discharging a firearm in city limits and shooting at a fleeing suspect.I told them I do not think so and when he ask me to holster my weapon.I told him when i feel like it.End resolt.No theif no tickets no body yet.I hope he died in a ditch some where.I live in a small town wher drug dealers are in your face and breakins happen almost every day.My question to you is WAS I WRONG IN WHAT I DID? WE have had it around here.
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Comments

  • HeavyBarrelHeavyBarrel Member Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by toolsforfools
    Two nights ago about 10:30 pm I was letting my dogs out front to use the bathroom.I looked over at my neighbors house in his driveway I saw a man tring to jimmy his door open.Before I go futher he and I are good friends and we have had our cars broke into or attempted to break into 3 times in the last 4 weeks.Local police nogood!We have had enough.Back to the story.He did not see me so I got the dogs back in quick.Grabed my Barretta 9mm.I walk toward him got 15 feet from him and hollered to freeze.He spun around screemed O fooey and jumped in the bushes next to the house.I ran around the side with gun pointed at the ground.I cound not see him but I could hear him.I started hollering freeze or I will kill you.No lights on in my neighbors house.I fired 2 rounds in the ground and started hollering my neighbors namee at the top of my voice range,all the time telling this sob in the bushes to freeze or I will kill him.Just as my neighbor open his front door knowing what was going on because we had dicused this before incase it happend and it did.The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming so I fired a round in his direction.Not sure of his intentions.I do not know if i hit him but I cannot find where the bullet logged.It should of hit the shed behind him so i think he is hit.Ten miniutes later the police show up wanting to write me a ticket for discharging a firearm in city limits and shooting at a fleeing suspect.I told them I do not think so and when he ask me to holster my weapon.I told him when i feel like it.End resolt.No theif no tickets no body yet.I hope he died in a ditch some where.I live in a small town wher drug dealers are in your face and breakins happen almost every day.My question to you is WAS I WRONG IN WHAT I DID? WE have had it around here.
    Thats a bad idea in city limits IMHO, hope the guy get caught though.
  • HonestBluesHonestBlues Member Posts: 859 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think the possible loss of a car or it's contents is enough reason to commit murder.If the perp had a weapon and was threatening you and your loved ones and was breaking into your home at the time,that would be a different story.I am glad for you that it did not end up worse.JMHO
  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess shooting "In his direction," is a for sure way to get Law Enforcement out there quick. To answer your question, I don't think I would have shot without knowing for sure of my intended target. I think I would have called the police before I left out of the house. If I had drug dealers in my face and break in's all the time, I would move. Like the others, I'm glad you didn't kill the crook or an innocent bystander over someone breaking in a vehicle.
  • Dakota308Dakota308 Member Posts: 4,162
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by HonestBlues
    I don't think the possible loss of a car or it's contents is enough reason to commit murder.If the perp had a weapon and was threatening you and your loved ones and was breaking into your home at the time,that would be a different story.I am glad for you that it did not end up worse.JMHO



    Perps make the decision that the stuff they are stealing is worth their life. WHO AM I TO JUDGE[?]


    carry a good light and armed whenever you let the dogs out now
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Dakota308
    quote:Originally posted by HonestBlues
    I don't think the possible loss of a car or it's contents is enough reason to commit murder.If the perp had a weapon and was threatening you and your loved ones and was breaking into your home at the time,that would be a different story.I am glad for you that it did not end up worse.JMHO



    Perps make the decision that the stuff they are stealing is worth their life. WHO AM I TO JUDGE[?]


    carry a good light and armed whenever you let the dogs out now
    +1

    If the guy is a gang member you may have just set yourself up for a drive by!
  • toolsforfoolstoolsforfools Member Posts: 1,285 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess what I am tring to say is I am tierd of playing the (PART OF THE VICTIM)If my law inforcment cannot protect me or my neighbors property than I will and he will.I WIIL NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE IN MY OWN TOWN !!!!!!!!!!!
  • chaosrobchaosrob Member Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are asking if what you did was right in a moral context you will get a very different answer than if you are asking from a legal standpoint.

    In my opinion what you did was at the very least reckless, and iresponsible. Shooting what you cannot see is never a good idea. What if it was your friend who ran over to help you catch this perp? This could have ended in a disaster. I would never venture into the dark without a light, period.

    The good- You probably will never hear from this guy again

    The bad- You fired without identifying your target, and potentially set yourself up for major financial ruin as well as loss of freedom. Your "snap" round could have went astray and penetrated a neighbors house or property

    The ugly- You could have easily shot a "good guy" who was brougt into the fray because of all the commotion.

    Those are my thoughts.
  • mousemouse Member Posts: 3,624
    edited November -1
    I'd get some different dogs. My dog would have torn the guys
    genitals out, releaving you of having to fire a shot. Get a
    nice male sheppard, and don't nuter the poor boy.

    A round fired towards him can travel a long distance. It could
    have gone through a neighbors house and injured someone. I bet
    he doesn;t come back to your house again, unless he's sure your
    gone.
  • quickmajikquickmajik Member Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You need to check the street and side walk for a blood trail before all sign of it is gone.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Hmmmmmm, this story has a slightly familiar ring to it..


    But to answer your question, I think it was rather stupid to do what you did..
  • DBMJR1DBMJR1 Member Posts: 1,854 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm no lawyer, and I don't play one on TV. I thought that the only justified use of deadly force was to protect your own, or another life. In Louisiana we can also use deadly force if someone is attempting illegal entry to our homes.

    This guy was breaking into a car, not a house. He did not brandish any weapon. You could not even see him for most of the encounter. You shot at him while he was running away.

    You are very fortunate that you did not kill him. His family would have grounds to sue for wrongful death,and the police would rightly prosecute you for homicide. You could have lost your house, rights, and freedom.

    There is no such thing as warning shots. Either you are justified in using deadly force, and shoot center of mass, or you keep your weapon holstered. Nothing in between. Therefore you are guilty of illegally discharging of a firearm. The two shots you put in the dirt.

    Actually; You might want to be careful what you post, this could still come back to haunt you.
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    Your life and/or the neighbors life wasn't in obvious danger, I'd say you weren't morally right in pulling the trigger. Not sure about legal right, but since you weren't arrested I think you were probably OK there.
  • chappsynychappsyny Member Posts: 3,381 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You didn't do anything morally wrong but I wouldn't fire blindly in the direction of a fleeing suspect next time. If you did hit him you could be setting yourself up for civil and criminal liability by doing so.

    Good job looking out for your neighborhood, though. That's a commendable action that I wish more people did.
  • 11echo11echo Member Posts: 1,008 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I commend your bravery and caring for fellow neighbor, but I agree with DBMJR1! Did you feel that your life was threatened? ...Did you see this "suspect" with a weapon? .Did he threaten you with it? From what you wrote here you saw somebody doing something and when he tried to get away you started blasting at him! You are lucky you didn't kill him or hurt anybody else! If he was in your house, then you had a right, but out on the street things are different. Best left to the cops!
    ...You didn't say, when you went back to your house for a weapon did you call the cops then?
  • quickmajikquickmajik Member Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "I started hollering freeze or I will kill you.No lights on in my neighbors house.I fired 2 rounds in the ground and started hollering my neighbors namee at the top of my voice range,"

    "The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming,"

    "Not sure of his intentions."

    His life was in possible danger, a man charging an armed man is most likely armed. The perp was told to freze or he would be shot,he failed to comply, and you cant be choosy of backstops when you have a split second to act or maybe get dead.


    At the same time you invited gun play with police officers and that was very, very stupid and they where just trying doing there jobs. You could've wound up dead for that alone if the cops had took you as a threat on there safety. I am sorry but yeah, I cant compare what you did with my own outlook because it is so utterly stupid. I tried to put myself in your shoes and man while I dont suffer thieves and crack heads your actions where careless and you put yourself and everyone around you at risk.
  • chaosrobchaosrob Member Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by quickmajik
    "I started hollering freeze mother f--cker or I will kill you.No lights on in my neighbors house.I fired 2 rounds in the ground and started hollering my neighbors namee at the top of my voice range,"

    "The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming,"

    "Not sure of his intentions."

    His life was in possible danger, a man charging an armed man is mostly armed. The perp was told to freze or he would be shot,he failed to comply, and you cant be choosy of backstops when you have a split second to act or maybe vget dead.
    I don't agree with that. Nowhere did he say he was charged. Further it wouldn't hold water with a jury either. He could have called the police. This is a situation he firmly placed himself in, then he asked for advice on whether he was in the right. You can try to spin it however you want, but you know what they say about good intentions
  • VforVendettaVforVendetta Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    invest in some night sights and put the shots "In the pumpkin" next time.

    What you did wrong was sloppy shooting.

    Oh yeah, invest in a good silencer and a new shovel.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,518 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What you did was take the law in your own hands. Discharging your weapon is idiotic. That stray bullet could end up in someones home harming them and you would be accountable regardless how you injured them. If you would have injured the guy or killed him you would have been prosecuted. Period. He was no threat to you running away.
  • tneff1969tneff1969 Member Posts: 6,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    No comment other than give your guns to a responsible adult before you get some innocent neighbor hurt or killed, being reckless is an understatement.
  • ManygunsManyguns Member Posts: 3,837
    edited November -1
    You shouldn't have shot at him. Running him off should have been good enough. If he would have been armed...different story.
    Tom
  • chaosrobchaosrob Member Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Manyguns
    You shouldn't have shot at him. Running him off should have been good enough. If he would have been armed...different story.
    Tom
    something tells me that if he had been armed the op would have been dead. The perp had the advantage in that the gg could not see him, but the perp knew where he was.
  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sure hope you don't live near my...Dumb, stupid, irresponsible. foolish, would be 4 words to describe you in my opinion...And people like you are arming the anti-gunners with ammo to that away MY FREEDOM TO OWN GUNS OF MY CHOOSING IN MY OPINION...

    Maybe you ought to take a gun safety course before you kill some poor innocent by-stander or sell your guns so you don't JMO. By the way, Guns aren't toolsforfools
  • quickmajikquickmajik Member Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by chaosrob
    quote:Originally posted by quickmajik
    "I started hollering freeze or I will kill you.No lights on in my neighbors house.I fired 2 rounds in the ground and started hollering my neighbors namee at the top of my voice range,"

    "The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming,"

    "Not sure of his intentions."

    His life was in possible danger, a man charging an armed man is mostly armed. The perp was told to freze or he would be shot,he failed to comply, and you cant be choosy of backstops when you have a split second to act or maybe vget dead.
    I don't agree with that. Nowhere did he say he was charged. Further it wouldn't hold water with a jury either. He could have called the police. This is a situation he firmly placed himself in, then he asked for advice on whether he was in the right. You can try to spin it however you want, but you know what they say about good intentions

    You are right, I have had friends killed and hurt because of people like The ones he has to deal with and where I live I dont have the luxury of waiting for the cops to show up, but his actions where way out of line. Sorry for bringing all this back up, but, it was eating at me.
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886
    edited November -1
    Tools:
    No judgement at my end but..

    ..you placed yourself in a position to be shot by the perp AND the homeowner. Good luck! Joe
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    two things:

    one, political correctness or polite conversational rules aside, animals dont "use the bathroom". they crap/piss on whatever piece of land they feel like it. its sort of nonsensical to phrase it like that. even "relieve themselves" would make more sense.

    two, its gun owners like you that make it so hard for us responsible adults to live a restriction free life. you brought deadly force into a situation that didnt require it. you shot at a person attempting to steal a piece of insured property. not one trying to jimmy the front door. not one you found raping the wife. hell(while i dont agree with this either) he wasnt even trying to kill steal an animal(a deadly force situation in some places as i understand it). he was breaking into a car. you had absolutely no business, legally or ethically, to attempt to end his life.

    i dont like thieves anymore than the next guy, but boosting a car or stealing a tape deck isnt even close to grounds for killing a man or even trying to.

    bully to you for taking the initiative to say you wont be victimized but how about being a responsible gun owner first? a car alarm, motion activated lights etc should come long before shooting.

    further, i think you should drop to bended knee immediately and thank whoever it is you pray to that you are still breathing, either from the possible actions of the perpetrator or the leo's that responded. you told a cop you would holster you weapon when you felt like it? are you retarded, i mean like medically disabled in the head? i can say without a doubt in my mind i would have shot you on the spot. consider the details: police receive a call for shots fired at a residence. they arrive to find you standing there with a gun. after telling you to secure it, you refuse. whats to stop them from thinking you are the bad guy(which in this case you are)
    ? you conduct is both criminal and deplorable.

    i agree with the "turn over your guns to someone responsible enough to handle them properly" comment. by your story, id say that both goes for and rules out your neighbor as well.
  • quickmajikquickmajik Member Posts: 15,576 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The stupidity with the cops largly sliped by me the first time around, I guess it was the fact he wasnt arrested... But I cant condone actions like that, infact by all rights that man should be in jail right now. It is to heavy on my conscience.

    We have all seen what men like his theaf can do too people,
  • k_townmank_townman Member Posts: 3,588
    edited November -1
    Hey Folks,
    Why not lighten up a bit? Crooks run rampant because we have chosen to do nothing, not to get involved, for way too long. Our police are ineffective because the crooks have all the rights and the courts have tied the hands of law enforcement. It's about time that we have people step up and take a stand against the scum that prey on society. Take them out of the gene pool. I would want a neighbor like toolsforfools.
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by k_townman
    Hey Folks,
    Why not lighten up a bit? Crooks run rampant because we have chosen to do nothing, not to get involved, for way too long. Our police are ineffective because the crooks have all the rights and the courts have tied the hands of law enforcement. It's about time that we have people step up and take a stand against the scum that prey on society. Take them out of the gene pool. I would want a neighbor like toolsforfools.


    good. i hope you two sleep really well at night willing to kill men for the theft of stuff.
  • k_townmank_townman Member Posts: 3,588
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by KEVD18
    quote:Originally posted by k_townman
    Hey Folks,
    Why not lighten up a bit? Crooks run rampant because we have chosen to do nothing, not to get involved, for way too long. Our police are ineffective because the crooks have all the rights and the courts have tied the hands of law enforcement. It's about time that we have people step up and take a stand against the scum that prey on society. Take them out of the gene pool. I would want a neighbor like toolsforfools.

    How do you sleep at night knowing that by doing nothing, you are contributing to the crime wave that's sweeping our nation?
    I would shoot only if I felt threatened.
    Damn passive liberals! [V]

    good. i hope you two sleep really well at night willing to kill men for the theft of stuff.
  • SP45SP45 Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I had been the responding officer you would not be writing this post. you would either be in jail or dead after being shot for not putting the gun down. it is this type of behavior that is just what the anti gun people thrive on. i won't even go into the number of crimes you have comitted (depending on the state you live in). You were fine until you started shooting the gun. after that you were just a danger to everyone. where i come from not only would you have been arrested but all your guns would have been confiscated and your permit to carry (if you had one) as well.
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    i am far from a passive liberal sir. i may live in massachusetts, but that doesnt make me a liberal.

    your failing to see that the ops actions were criminal in and of themselves, so that action may have stopped one crime but replaced it with a much graver one.
  • dan kellydan kelly Member Posts: 9,799
    edited November -1
    well screw that!!! if the police can`t/won`t help, then protect yourselves!!...you did good looking out for your neighbour....i wish you lived next door to me!!!

    if the cops get a call about someone attempting to break in near your house again i bet they turn up real quick!

    good on you for having the guts to say "no more...keep away from us or risk your life!"

    next time carry a 12g!
  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "was I wrong in what I did?" real simple: YES.
  • k_townmank_townman Member Posts: 3,588
    edited November -1
    Isn't it obvious that the answer to stopping crime is NOT to sit on our hands and depend on law enforcement to take care of it? It isn't working folks! Time to pull your heads out of the sand. Time to take back our towns. And, to HELL with the anti-gun crowd!
    Please, be your brothers keeper. [^]
  • k_townmank_townman Member Posts: 3,588
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by KEVD18
    i am far from a passive liberal sir. i may live in massachusetts, but that doesnt make me a liberal.

    your failing to see that the ops actions were criminal in and of themselves, so that action may have stopped one crime but replaced it with a much graver one.



    My comment about damn liberals was a general comment. Not directed toward anyone specifically. [:(!]
  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just goes to show you how tough it is to fight the urge to do what you want to do as compared to what you should do in about 3 seconds with 50 gallons of adrenaline coursing through your veins. It is easier for most of us to say that you did the wrong thing while sitting at the computer, (which I feel you did) when we are not put in the same situation. Hope everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

    T67
  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by k_townman
    quote:Originally posted by KEVD18
    quote:Originally posted by k_townman
    Hey Folks,
    Why not lighten up a bit? Crooks run rampant because we have chosen to do nothing, not to get involved, for way too long. Our police are ineffective because the crooks have all the rights and the courts have tied the hands of law enforcement. It's about time that we have people step up and take a stand against the scum that prey on society. Take them out of the gene pool. I would want a neighbor like toolsforfools.

    How do you sleep at night knowing that by doing nothing, you are contributing to the crime wave that's sweeping our nation?
    I would shoot only if I felt threatened.
    Damn passive liberals! [V]

    good. i hope you two sleep really well at night willing to kill men for the theft of stuff.



    No one is saying sit idly by....Read toolsforfools post again...We all are saying that he acted stupid, dumb, irresponsible. foolish, and recklessly in our opinion....He should have never discharged his gun... The thug has not threatening anyone....In Fact he was just trying to escape a crazed gunman....Yes toolsforfools in my opinion you are a crazed gunman.....

    If toolsforfools did that in my neck of the woods...Shooting blindly...you damn sure know that all the REAL men in the neighborhood would call the prosecutor for justice on him for jeopardising our loved ones...

    In my opinion you and him should start a town of your own....A good name for it would be Idiotsville...JMO

    We all agree that he had right to be armed, and stop a crime from being committed.....He became a crazed gunman when he shot without provocation... And quite honestly, if you two think that owning a gun doesn't have responsibilities in doing things by the law... I doubt you two would happy here amongst those who do...JMO

    BTW... Don't ever tell me to lighten up, When someone in my opinion is doing things that a crazed gunman would. JMO... And if you don't like it...Right you Congressman and have freedom of speech outlawed, or come try to take away it from me yourself, and I'll show you just how bad a sheepherder can kick the snot out of his dog, You being the dog... JMO

    So why don't you go troll the Gangsta's forum. You'd get along good with them...JMO
  • toolsforfoolstoolsforfools Member Posts: 1,285 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lets get this right I fired 2 round in the ground in front of me to get my neighbor up.The last round I fired was at the perp who blew out of the bushes at 100 mile an hour after i told him to stay put.I only fired in the direction of the wood shed behind the aly.No body was in it.I know where my shots are going!
  • chaosrobchaosrob Member Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by toolsforfools
    Lets get this right I fired 2 round in the ground in front of me to get my neighbor up.The last round I fired was at the perp who blew out of the bushes at 100 mile an hour after i told him to stay put.I only fired in the direction of the wood shed behind the aly.No body was in it.I know where my shots are going!
    and told a police officer you would holster when ready, started an armed confrontation without preparation, etc, etc. You asked for input, I just gave my opinion, which is what I thought you were asking for
  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by toolsforfools
    Lets get this right I fired 2 round in the ground in front of me to get my neighbor up.The last round I fired was at the perp who blew out of the bushes at 100 mile an hour after i told him to stay put.I only fired in the direction of the wood shed behind the aly.No body was in it.I know where my shots are going!


    And you shot at a man that never made advances at you...In my opinion. your a crazed gunman... The two in the ground is one thing..

    But lets look at your thread...Here is a C&P.... The guy bolts from the dark over te hood of the car so fast I was not sure whitch way he was comming ( at this point your not SURE)so I fired a round in his direction. Not sure of his intentions..( not sure of his intentions Again NOT SURE OF HIS ATTENTIONS) he dodges in the bushes( I WOULD TO IF A CRAZED GUNMAN SHOT AT ME) and then bolts (anybody would bolt if a crazed gunman was shooting at them),I do not know if i hit him but I cannot find where the bullet logged.It should of hit the shed ( you were shooting at the shed??? but missed. Can't you hit the side of a barn???) behind him so i think he is hit ( you THINK it hit him...You weren't sure of your shot...Again, you weren't sure of your shot. And you shot??? not being sure of your shot?????????????? Wow, you need to take responsibility)

    Again I stand by my opinion...Guns are NOT repeat NOT toolsforfools
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