Think It's Good I Came Home When I Did

[Langenator]

Background: the Army's had me TDY at Yakima Training Center for the last 3+ months. My wife is pregnant (due any day) with one other little one (just shy of 2) in the house. I was scheduled to come back on the 21st, but my wife started having labor-like symptoms, so they sent me back. (False alarm on the labor, BTW).

After putting Jr to bed, around 8-8:30 or so, I go out to get some of my stuff out of my car. As I'm walking down the driveway, I see two guys in a pickup pull over in front of the empty (forrested) lot katty-corner across the street from my house, turn off their driving lights, leaving the parking lights on, and turn on the dome light. They seemed to be looking at me. I pulled my camelbak and laundry bag out of the trunk, looked back, and they were now definitely looking at me. I made sure they got a good look at my rifle case as I pulled that out of the trunk and took it inside.

They sat there for about 10 more minutes, then drove off. When I got back in the house, I realized that they were parked so that, while they could see the garage and front door, it was almost impossible to see them from my living room. I could only see their parking lights through the bushes.

Now, were they lost, and looking at a map? Or had they noticed my pregnant wife home alone and decided to do something, only to have their plans spoiled by me returning home?

I know I triple check all my locks now, and I've been watching for that truck.

 

[mtnbkr]

Probably looking at a map or something else. It doesn't make sense for them to turn their lights on if they're trying to watch something outside the vehicle. It just makes it harder to see through the glass.

Chris

 

[NMshooter]

You may never know, but at least nothing happened.

I like bushes, especially pyrocanthia, under windows, to eliminate those pesky blind spots. I do not like them if they provide concealment for other folks to take a look at me.

Think of the terrain around your house as your perimeter, and try to set up obstacles in order to canalize any would be late night visitors. Make those blind spots uncomfortable or impassable and you should be able to see what is going on outside easier.

 

[James T Thomas]

options

I wonder why you did not call the police and have them investigated?
Maybe they were lost, but you would not have lost face by doing so.
That way the officer would have a record (providing he did not discover so illegality and made an immeditate arrest.)

Should they return, get that license number.

I don't wish to offend you and I may be presuming so excuse me, but you had your rifle and are young and virile, but the intelligent way is the better way.

Make sure your wife is competent with firearms. Provide several weapons for her; locked, but with quick access -for her.

Mention the incident to your neighbors, and if any are reliable, even an old busy body lady, ask them kindly to keep an eye our for you while you are away.

Say your prayers and ask for His protection. That beats all.

PS: I had my Adv. Inf. Training at Ft. Lewis. Do they old WWII two story barraks still exist? They were heated with coal!

Sincerely,

Jim

 

[Langenator]

As for terrain...blackberry tangles (Ma Nature's concertina wire) on two sides, and low (3') wire fences that keep Jr corraled in the back yard when he plays are damn near invisible at night...major tripping hazard if you don't know they're there-and they're invisible from the street. The bushes blocking my view are on the adjacent (empty, blackberry filled) lot.

The Mrs does know how to use guns-especially the Kimber Ultra Carry (with 3 extra mags) in her nightstand and the AR in the closet.

The M1 in the rifle case wasn't loaded. The Sig on my belt was though. And if they'd stayed any longer I would have called the cops.

 

[Langenator]

And yes, the cracker boxes on North Fort, and a few other locations, can still be found. ROTC uses the ones on N Fort in the summer.

 

[johnnymenudo]

I don't understand why people WANT the bad guys to know they have a gun. Is it just me or is that macho posturing? I don't want the bad guys to know I have a gun until they have heard the shots fire and (hopefully) felt the bullets tear into their body. You have also made it clear to someone in making sure they see your rifle case, that your house might present itself to a nice burgling opportunity if you have a gun cache. Personal awareness and body posture is important, but letting them know you are armed will actually give you the tactical disadvantage if these guys are truly bad guys.

JM

 

[nfl1990]

I don't understand why people WANT the bad guys to know they have a gun. Is it just me or is that macho posturing? I don't want the bad guys to know I have a gun until they have heard the shots fire and (hopefully) felt the bullets tear into their body. You have also made it clear to someone in making sure they see your rifle case, that your house might present itself to a nice burgling opportunity if you have a gun cache. Personal awareness and body posture is important, but letting them know you are armed will actually give you the tactical disadvantage if these guys are truly bad guys.

If they are just looking for an easy target them knowing you have a gun, (keep in mind they only knew about his M1, and NOT his AR, Kimber, and Sig) it may make them look elsewhere.

 

[Langenator]

NFL got it right-it's deterence.

Small pregnant female home alone-easy target

House with known male occupant, likely armed-much tougher target.

I was going to bring the rifle in anyway. I don't like leaving guns in the car, especially in the driveway. It just worked out that they were there to see me removing it.

 

[wingnutx]

When suspicious people park by my house I take their picture, making sure that they can see a nice bright flash.