Tell me if I handled this right.

[shermacman]

I think there are a lot of very good reactions to the scenario. It is dangerous to point a gun at someone, which of course is the whole point. I am glad everyone went home on their feet, vertical. You could not have known the kids' intent. And that is why I don't think you did wrong.

What were they doing? Were they lost? No. Were they casing the house to break in? Maybe. Even if they were a bunch of obnoxious drunk punks, someone needed to teach them a lesson. Luckily it was you, the guy who didn't shoot. A homeowner who was drunk, scared, not rational, paranoid or just plain stupid and the end result could have been a dead kid. In other words, the same kids, the same prank, and a different homeowner they could have ended up dead.

 

[flatrock]

You could have called the cops, but in some areas involving the cops isn't the best solution if you think it's just kids screwing around.

I think pointing the shotgun gun at the kid was a mistake.

I think carrying the shotgun makes sense as a reasonable percaution.

If you thought there was a real threat your better off calling the cops and hiding inside with your shotgun.

It sounds like the kid learned his lesson, and it sounds like his father is going to make sure.

Kids will be kids. I pulled some similar stupid stunts when I was a teenager.

I'm glad no one was hurt.

I don't think you handled the situation that badly, but I think pointing the gun was a mistake.

 

[Mornard]

XDOCTOR -

"You done good"

Don't know if you were right or wrong - all I can tell you is I like it - like the outcome, and the young man may have been set back on the straight and narrow.

 

[firebug]

I think you did the right thing I have a boy that lives up the street that has threatened bodily harm to my kids.We called the sheriffs dept.the only advice they could offer was to stay away from him.My kids do that but he still threatens them so I am to the point where if he comes near my property He is going to get some 00 buck in his hindend.

 

[magsnubby]

Suppose instead of tapping on the window they accidently broke it? What's Mr. Homeowner suppose to think then?

"Golly gee whiz honey, it's probably just some poor misguided teens. let's just go back to sleep."

Sounds like some future wards of the state to me.

You done okay.

 

[Sawdust]

firebug:

It's time to introduce your kids to a martial arts teacher...seriously.

Sawdust

 

[Waitone]

Since we debate if the incident constituted assault, let us take advantage of recent technology.

<Cynic Mode On>On the Continuum of Force Chart I propose a new entry right between Impact Weapons and Deadly Force. I propose entry of "MP3" where by pre recorded sounds of a Remington 870 being prepared, or a Remington 1100 doing likewise. To round it out add a 1911 slide release. Then when the homeowner is B&E'd in the middle of the night he can swiftly move to the nightstand and pull up his Tactical MP3 Player and play the appropriate sound.<Cynic Mode Off>

I was taught, trained, indoctrinate, and pounded by my father that you do not go screwing around a house, anyone's house, at night because they will be completely justified in blasting you with any firearm inside.

I'll be willing to bet Junior has a healthy respect for dark, occupied houses and that he will avoid a repeat of th unpleasantness. . . . .right after he Clorox's his underwear.

 

[EricOKC]

Yeah, I'd say you did fine. I dont even have a problem with you pointing the shotty until you identified the threat.

Calling the kid's dad was a real nice touch. Little hoodlum might well turn out ok now. If not, it isnt like he hasnt been warned.

As someone else pointed out here, screwing around with someone's house late at night is a damn good way to find yourself talking to St. Peter.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Did I handle that right? I'm not 100% certain that I needed to involve the shotgun.

I'd say you did the right thing, if only because the lad's likely to remember the lesson the rest of his life. Personally, I believe I'd have been wearing more than underwear, but then, I'm old-fashioned in some ways.

 

[Gifted]

I'd say the shotgun worked. Do you have a Peephole in your door? Two scenarios:

1) It's a robber. If I'm gonna face him, I want to be ready. That means pointing the business end of whatever gun I have at him. He can't take my gun if he's dead. In this case the peephole would tell you immediately, and calling the police and leaving the door locked would be the better option.

2) the kids playing pranks, as you said. You open the door, and things pan out like you said. The only problem I could see is if the gun didn't move after you recognized that there was no threat. Here, the peephole would have told you to have it held at low ready or whatever.

The peephole is really the only thing I could see being a problem. By the way you describe the incident, I'd guess you didn't have one, and acted properly. The law can go flush itself.

 

[Vermonter]

Excellent, especially calling the father.

 

[GigaBuist]

In my youth I tossed some TP with friends into people's trees. Never did anything destructive and made sure nobody that was with me did either. No eggs, no saran wrap, nothing horrid. Lots of walking, being quiet, getting in and getting out undetected. Only did it twice really. One of the guys was a teacher who said it couldn't be done because he woke up too easily. Told us that in class. Well, we were his "pet children" so to speak -- since he was also the wrestling coach. Got got 'em good. We were in 7th grade and 4 of the 6 of us wrestled for him in high school later on. He was a good sport about it when it was done and a number of people took credit before he found out who actually did it. Congratulated us actually on a job well done. Still friends with him to this day.

The other night was stupid... looking back on it somebody could've shot one of us -- although we were far from their house I suppose. I always was. Instincts I guess. Man, we did some dumb stuff come to think of it.

If I was on a guy's porch and he pulled a loaded shotgun on me and pointed it at my head -- I have no qualms with that. I'd dare say my parents wouldn't have either. Hell I KNOW they wouldn't have a problem with that. Now, if you shot an unarmed kid that'd be different... but having "been there done that" -- yeah it's okay if you ask me.

Now, if they -all- ran off... well, putting a few rounds into the dirt after they got 30 yards away would've made an impression that'd last.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I'd say you did just fine.

My main experience with unwanted guests has been during daylight hours. The sight of a screaming, naked man with a bad dog in one hand and a large caliber pistol in the other tend to make them anxious to forget their original purpose of bothering me.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[gunsmith]

other then pointing shotgun

you did fine.
This time .
next time,no pointing loaded firearms,and do not leave yourself vulnerable to getting jumped.
People are killed by teenagers all the time,teens are responsible for alot of crime.
There was a teen stealing beer from a garage in FL when the home owner chased him the punk stabbed him to death.

 

[Johnson]

andled it right? You mean aside from assault with a deadly weapon?

You could argue having the shotgun was prudent since you didn't know for sure what was going on, but pointing it at the kid was over the top. Aiming a gun at a person is not something you do to 'make a point' or to scare them. You do it if you genuinely think you might have to pull the trigger in the near future.

I didn't get the impression you felt threatened, just annoyed.

I think you should consider yourself lucky you didn't get to talk to the police after calling the kids father.

just my opinon...

Yeah, he said he knew who it was all a long. Gimme a break. The kids lucky he didn't get his head blown clean off.

 

[xdoctor]

Okay,

The votes have been tallied.

Most of you beleive that it was not nessecery to take aim. I can understand that. If I had been thinking clearly I most likely would not have. But it was very late at night after a very long day and I was bloody pissed.

A good portion of you said I should have called the cops. That'd be a great plan if they could be here in under an hour. As things are, my defence is in my own hands.

A few of you said that I should have liberated some garments from my closet. I like to think that the image of me in my underwear, holding a shotgun will come to mind for this kid every time he considers doing something like this again. Then, homefully he will become so violently ill he won't be able to move for at least an hour.

Most everyone liked the idea of calling his father. I thought it was better than calling the cops, since his father is a friend I'd rather not get his son an MIP.

Lots of folks said it was illegal. In Wyoming, you pretty much have to tell him that you're going to kill him or turn him into a fine red mist before the cops take interest.

If I had to do it all again I don't think I would have done a thing different. The boys mother called me today to tell me that the child had been diciplined. She then brought him over and he appologized. We're taking him shooting tomorrow. (that's an odd thought, next time he'll know how to use a firearm. scary.) If it had been a total stranger, I might regret some of my actions. Luckily for me it all worked out okay. Thanks a lot for the input guys.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Care to take one last ballot?
I'd say you did the right thing.

You may have thought it was just kids, but what if it wasn't...
Pointing the gun may have saved your life.

Here are the scenarios I see.

1) The scenario plays out exactly how it did. You get sleep, kid gets a lesson. It's done
2)Kid runs away, since your finger wasn't on the trigger (it wasn't...right) the kid would have run off and you would have gotten sleep. No lesson from dad, but Mr. Remington is an effective teacher.
3) You come out hoping to surprise kids, but come across a more sinister opponent. Good thing your 12ga is ready to go in case they try something.
4) You go out without your gun ready to defend. You get disarmed and...

Good job!

perhaps having the gun in a low-ready position would have been more PC, but the benefit outweighs the risk should you not find a group of rowdy kids.

 

[A. Partisan]

I think you did right. If someone was knocking on my door and tapping on my windows at 12:30 A.M. I would open my door with a loaded gun and it would not be pointed at the ground.

 

[MuzzleBlast]

NEGATIVE!

You can't threaten a person with deadly force for interrupting your beauty sleep, no matter how PO'ed you are. Deadly force response can only be used to counter a deadly force attack. If it was my kid, his butt would be blistered, and you would be hearing from my lawyer.

 

[A. Partisan]

When someone is lurking around a persons house knocking on the door and tapping on windows, how do they know it is not a deadly situation?

If I was chosen for jury duty on a case like this I would not vote guilty.

 

[SOT_II]

Did you have other options besides using a gun?
Did you call the police?
Were you in direct fear for your life?
Did the person(s) in questionhave motive opportunity, means, to inflict bodily harm on you?

 

[Gifted]

Did the person(s) in question have motive opportunity, means, to inflict bodily harm on you?

Someone's tapping on your window, ringing your doorbell. In the middle of the night, I don't think it's a salesman. Means is somewhat irrelavant, just like the finger gun in the pocket of a mugger. Motive? Well, you don't know that until there's liquid leaking down the leg of a juvenile delinquent, or a dead thief at my feet. If my gun's ready, he won't have much oppurtunity.

 

[mpw]

I would like to add, that since you weren't in a hurry, next time put on proper clothes and footwear...it helps you fight if you have to, and if I learned anything from COPS, it's that it's always better to talk to the cops with all your clothes on....

 

[Texian Pistolero]

Hind sight is 20/20, but I would not point gun at anyone once I decided he was no longer a threat.

I think having the gun is legit , but would point is off to side after finding I was not in immediate danger.

Relatedly, if I wake up in middle of night, I may not be in best clarity of mind, so want very conservative (safety) SOP.

I THINK I might have deduced this as a kid's nuisance, and my local laws are on the ball and would have loved to handle this. Other parts of the country may be different.

Thanks for sharing this so we can all think it through.

 

[Gixerman1000]

In my opinion, you were more than justified in having your shotgun with you, you had no way of knowing it was a punk kid playing around, it could have been anyone and it is always better to have and not need than to need and not have.