Family problems

T

Tucker 1371

New member
I have been thinking about it quite a bit lately and I've realized that my current plan of response in an HD scenario doesn't take into account how other members of my family may be reacting to the situation and this could present a problem.

I am the oldest son and oldest gun owner in my family, home from college this summer. My 15 year old brother also has a few guns (not legally his yet). If I have to respond to a bump in the night my go to gun is a 5.45x39 AK kept on Condition 3 leaning next to my bed (would rather have a handgun or 12ga but money has not allowed).

Considering I will have to come downstairs to check out a disturbance my parents (who are downstairs) will probably already be out of their room for a look or even confronting an intruder.

Q #1: If my parents are already out and about (obviously they will be unarmed) and have confronted the intruder (which I know my father will if he is awake) who is not leaving the house but not threatening anyone should I enter the situation just to hold a gun on the guy while the LEOs respond for good measure or leave it alone and avoid escalating it?

If the guy is threatening anyone he is going to be shot if I have a clear shot. Period.

Also, my little brother (who has a Tapco'd SKS and 20ga shotgun) may want to help. I don't like the idea of this at all. He does not keep his cool very well and I can just picture myself taking a 7.62x39 round or some birdshot in the rear because of him (Yes he is familiar with the 4 rules and does a good job practicing them, it's other areas of his behavior that bother me, he tends to blow up in high stress situations). Ideally I would have him stay upstairs and make the 911 call, I trust him with that. Problem is he's hard to reason with and arguing with him will waste valuable time and likely make noise.

Q #2: Should I let him come (with warning of course) or try to make him stay upstairs?


To the mods: I read the sticky about the endless asinine scenarios. The above is a genuine concern for me so if you will please allow it to be addressed.
 
A fifteen year old in possession of a firearm in a home falls under parental control, consent and supervision.

Is this your problem? Or, is it your truly (and under the law) your father's issue?
 
You're not going to like this, but it is your parent's house, not yours.

I will be 52 years old tomorrow. I have 3 children and 7 grandchildren (with #8 due by Thanksgiving), but when I go to my mother's house, it is still her house and I abide by her rules... period... end of story!

I know you want the best for your family, but if they don't want guns in THEIR HOUSE, then what choice do you have? You can live by their rules or move out.

Scott
 
but if they don't want guns in THEIR HOUSE, then what choice do you have?
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You are missing the issue and assuming things. First, my parents are not anti-gun in any way at all, my father has been considering buying a handgun and I am advising him on that. He is not a firearms enthusiast but would buy a gun solely for the purpose of home defense. Right now a decent reliable handgun is not in the budget, food and bills come first. When money allows I will make sure he get's a decent gun like a Glock (not my favorite but good for someone like my dad).

Until then it is my job, I am 19 (20 in October), you probably think differently but I consider myself an adult and so does the law. I can legally own long guns in my state (1 more year for handguns and CCW).

Now, if you would or are able to, please give my question some attention.
 
My brother is in college, and stays with my family about 25% of the time. We have our basic plan that if anything needs investigating I (and only I) will go out and investigate. Both wife brother and child are to stay in their rooms and depending on the situation call 911. If any shots are fired they are to call 911 (if they haven't already) and listen for me to yell our (previously and mutually agreed upon) phrase. If they don't hear it, they are to turn the hall lights on, and shoot any hostile who comes down that hallway whether they have me (somehow) hostage or not. Now there are a variety of things that could possibly go wrong with this, however simple instructions I've found are the best thing for my wife.

In your situation, I would have my brother stay up stairs, with out his guns. It just seems that would be "safer". You said money was tight, and trust me I understand that. I would see if your dad would be willing to have your brother's (or technically your dad's?) shotgun by his bed. Then establish responses to what ever scenarios you want.

Just my opinion, so take what you deem useful out of it, and toss the rest. :)
 
I've got a younger brother (19) that reminds me of yours... Truth is, by the time he wakes up the whole thing would probably be over with :)

Seriously though, if it was me I'd still want my brother next to me in that situation. I'd also wan't my dad checking with me before confronting any pontential BG's unarmed. For all he knows it could be you or your bro stumbling around the kitchen at 3:00am fixing a bowl of cereal.

Bottom line is that it's very difficult to guess how any one of us would react to the situation until it's actually happened. Your best bet is to have a sit down with the boys and figure out who's doing what in that scenario.

P.S. the thought of your brother having a hot temper AND guns doesn't give me the warm fuzzies either. Just sayin.
 
"Level of responsibility" and "communication" are what needs hashed out. In military units think of chain of command. Junior, my son, knew he could respond to a threat but not with the silence I was allowed as he had to hail me as he advanced to mitigate risk of either of us being shot. He knew I would be silent unless I heard his voice then I would give a "PSEEET" or such so he knew my general location...
Brent
 
Q1. No.

Q2. No.

Scenario #3 - You are first to confront. Then the responsibility for decisions rests upon your shoulders. Prepare yourself for scenario #3.
 
P.S. the thought of your brother having a hot temper AND guns doesn't give me the warm fuzzies either. Just sayin.
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You're not the only one. We're both wrestlers and I've seen him blow up on the mat and make an @$$ of himself, he's gotten at least a few penalties for unnecessary roughness per season wheras I got maybe 2 in 4 years (I wasn't gentle by any means though). Granted he is going through that stage where he hasn't really learned to control his testosterone. Also, he is very mindful of the four rules and understands the possible consequences of a screw up with a gun. I will sit down and talk to him about it, probably my parents too.


"Level of responsibility" and "communication" are what needs hashed out.
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I agree. Given that my parents are not armed and not very familiar or practiced with guns (not that consider myself practiced enough but I am very familiar with mine and my brother's guns' controls) I think the responsibility falls first on me, at least until my dad has gotten a gun and practiced with it. Since little brother and I will both be coming from upstairs I think as long as he keeps his head on straight I will be better off for having him with me.
 
Any other siblings besides the 15 year old? I'm in a similar situation when I at home, me and siblings on the 2nd floor, parents on 1st.

My brother is 15, we've worked out that if we have a intruder his job is to grab a shotgun from my room (doesn't have his own yet) and guard the upstairs.

My sister just turned 21 and is getting a handgun, so the 2 of them should be safe enough up there.

So if you have other siblings, just give him the task of protecting them while calling 911.

Slightly off topic, if your dad isn't really into guns, a revolver might be a better choice than semi-auto.
 
You are missing the issue and assuming things.
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I am sorry for making assumptions, but had you provided the information you provided in your second post about your family situation, that might have avoided some confusion.

I apologize. Be safe.

Scott
 
Assumptions

Oddly enough, I had assumed his parents weren't anti-gun because they allow his 15yo brother to have guns (legally his father's)....
 
I see real Charlie Foxtrot potential

I don't doubt your good faith, or your abilities, for that matter, but this has the potential for true catastrophe all over it.

Lessee, we've got an intruder in the house, we've got unarmed parents wandering around the ground level investigating the bump in the night, we've got one armed son on the second level intent on clearing the house, and we've got a second hot-headed son with an SKS looking for something that needs killin'.

Q1: No.

Q2: No.

You also need to sit down with your entire family and seriously hash this out before the need arises. Who goes where, who investigates (you might give consideration to letting the po-po do this, unless your house is really out in the sticks), and who stays the hell in his room (guess who that is? ;))

Presence of other/younger siblings obviously colors your plan, as does the physical plant - the actual layout of the house, number and location of available exits, surroundings, etc.

God bless you for taking your responsibilities seriously, but do be careful! As mentioned, you need clearly delineated responsibilities and a plan in hand (and mind) before the fact.
 
See http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp , and read the class description for the Personal Protection In The Home Class. There's a class locator tool on the site also, to let you know if the class is available near you.

Failing that, the classroom portion is available on DVD at http://materials.nrahq.org/go/product.aspx?productid=ES 26840 . The textbook is available at http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB+01781 . These resources will help you better prepare to deal with home defense situations by developing a plan, rehearsing the plan with ALL family members, and preparing to put the plan into use if necessary.

You can also evaluate Louis Awerbuck's video, Safe At Home, at http://www.paladin-press.com/product/129/73 . And there's more training material out there.

First thing, though, is to make your home less inviting to would-be criminals. Good strong doors and windows, secured with good locks, are basic. So is motion activated exterior lighting, alarm systems, clearing out potential hiding places for criminals, dogs, fences... you get the idea.

hth,

lpl
 
unless your house is really out in the sticks
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It is, my neighbors are the 300+ head of cattle in the next pasture over if that gives you any idea. With that piece of information you would think that I wouldn't have to worry about a break in so much but my grandparents who live just down the road have been broken into twice, both times tires were slashed and phone lines were cut, the first time a .454 Casull followed them out the door, the second time the alarm system did it's job. Still the degree of premeditation involved was quite alarming, makes one wonder what they had in mind.

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motion activated exterior lighting, alarm systems, clearing out potential hiding places for criminals, dogs
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Check on all but the fence, also the alarm is just a noisemaker, it is not monitored (another budget issue).


Thanks for all the input guys, I will have a serious talk with my little brother and parents on what our response should be in this situation.
 
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bamafan4life said:
who would u rather have protecting u me a teenage straight A athlete who has masterd a hunters safety corse (should be called a firearm saftey corse cause thats mainly what we talked about) or a 64 year old diabetic with heart problems who has bad legs?
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Actually, I'd rather have the grownup -- especially if he's "masterd" the English language a bit better than this. :cool:

martin08 said:
And the head of the household must be responsible for the plan's implementation.
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Exactly. I like that the OP is thinking seriously about these issues, and that he's listening to the various suggestions posted in this thread, but in general -- there's a reason teenage boys have, oh, way higher car insurance rates than the rest of us: they're mostly not known for being level-headed under stress. I find the idea of a 14 or 15 year old boy (or girl, but especially a boy) with a gun in a home defense situation a bit scary, to say the least...

And I wonder about the potential liability for the parents.
 
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Well sir, I am not 14 or 15, I'm 19 and legally an adult. Yes I would prefer my father have a gun and be familiar with it but those aren't the cards that I have been dealt. Maybe another day and time, until then it falls on me and I want to be as prepared as money will allow.

Right now "as much as money will allow" is me with an AK. As soon as I get a summer job and have bought myself an old beater set of wheels I will be using any extra funds on either an 870 18" express/police model or an Ithaca 37 HD model.

And I wonder about the potential liability for the parents.
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I have read Georgia's home/self defense laws several time over, as I understand them I am a member of this household and am justified in the use of deadly force with no duty to retreat from such if a forcible entry has been made into my place of residence. See for yourself and correct me if I am wrong: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hb1061.htm
 
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Well sir, I am not 14 or 15, I'm 19 and legally an adult.
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No need to take offense, GSUeagle. My comments were not directed at you, but mostly at bamafan4life, who did say he was 14... As I said, I like that you're thinking seriously about this, and wanting input from folks with experience.

I was also trying to reinforce the concern you expressed about your 15-year-old brother -- I think you're right to be worried about how he might act:

GSUeagle1089 said:
Also, my little brother (who has a Tapco'd SKS and 20ga shotgun) may want to help. I don't like the idea of this at all. He does not keep his cool very well and I can just picture myself taking a 7.62x39 round or some birdshot in the rear because of him (Yes he is familiar with the 4 rules and does a good job practicing them, it's other areas of his behavior that bother me, he tends to blow up in high stress situations).
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And I still wonder about parental liability for the actions of a 14-year-old with a gun...
 
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