Housezealot
New member
no I was capable, just lazy
Personal experience ....
- Thread starter Enoy21
- Start date
comn-cents
New member
House
Thanks for sharing & staying on subject.
I was hurt a few months back and never considered being armed in my house at the time. Of course I have two large dogs. But next time it will be closer at hand.
Thanks for sharing & staying on subject.
I was hurt a few months back and never considered being armed in my house at the time. Of course I have two large dogs. But next time it will be closer at hand.
OldMarksman
Staff
Tennessee, that's an excellent way to look at it. We were told the same thing repeatedly when I was in corporate life. And for some people, it proved to be true.
Of course, an ill-considered post may not ultimately put the poster at risk; it could, however, give ammo to the antis.
House, your story sounds like some of mine--the presence of the gun prevented trouble. no shots were fired, trouble was avoided, and we should have called the police.
I don't see that you had a choice, and I can't for the life of me see any reason for anyone "accosting" you for sharing.
Rifleman 173
New member
People who know me already know that I've been through too many of these incidents. I spent 19 months with the paratroopers in Viet Nam. In those days every single day somebody in my battalion was exchanging shots with the enemy. You can actually grow numb to the sound of gunfire, bullets whizzing by, helicopters beating the air into submission and the whang of artillery fire. You also find yourself in some very unusual situations too.
One night I was part of a recon team that was running an ambush a couple of hundred yards from an American position. Sometime after midnight a firefight erupted between some V.C. and the American position that we were near. As a result of that conflict all six of us on the recon/ambush team found ourselves tucked down into some holes in the ground as both red and green tracers arced through the night sky directly over our heads. None of us on the team got hurt but that was one hell of a fireworks display we saw that night.
So the amount of gunfights and such depends on where you live, what you've done in the past, the job you hire on to do. Some of us have had the high number of shootings but most of us just don't want to talk about them a whole lot.
One night I was part of a recon team that was running an ambush a couple of hundred yards from an American position. Sometime after midnight a firefight erupted between some V.C. and the American position that we were near. As a result of that conflict all six of us on the recon/ambush team found ourselves tucked down into some holes in the ground as both red and green tracers arced through the night sky directly over our heads. None of us on the team got hurt but that was one hell of a fireworks display we saw that night.
So the amount of gunfights and such depends on where you live, what you've done in the past, the job you hire on to do. Some of us have had the high number of shootings but most of us just don't want to talk about them a whole lot.
I was involved in a scenario in Atlanta where I had to draw. No shots were fired.
It was mid-April of last year. I was moving back down from NW Georgia to the college town of Statesboro near Savannah. I had loaded up my band new car, and was four months post-op from having most of my lumbar fused (L3-S1). I had just that week completed my last physical therapy, and, as any college kid would be, had my car loaded down with 90% of everything I owned at the time. I had gotten a 24oz. cup of coffee before I got on the highway, and by the time I hit Atlanta, my eyeballs were floating.
I was taking I-285 (the Atlanta bypass) to go around the usually horrible traffic found on I-75. It was longer, but usually quicker and less hectic. As I said, I had to pee like a racehorse. I pulled off on an exit and whipped into a parking spot on the front, right-hand corner of the convenience store. I was the only car in the parking lot and no one was on the pumps (it was about 9 in the morning on a Sunday).
There was a payphone on the corner which I had parked, and a woman was standing in front of it. I stepped out, and she politely asked me for 50 cents to use the payphone. I had it to spare, and didn't really mind. Besides, there was a cold front in the area that had brought a cold, misty rain.
I started digging in my pockets when her buddy, an African-American male, started running towards us from around the other corner of the building. I glanced over in time to see him jump off the curb onto the pavement while pulling something out of his pocket. He was running towards me, and she was backing up. I put my hand on the grip of a still concealed S&W 66-2 with a 4"bll in a Fobus paddle holster under my windbreaker. He pulled his hand out and whipped open a small tactical folder. I don't even remember drawing, but I whipped it out, pulled the hammer back, and had my finger on the trigger guard.
He froze, dropped the knife, and lost control of his bladder at the same time. His baggy, bright red sweatpants had a growing dark red spot. The woman looked at him, looked at me, then back at him. He looked at her, then back at me. I told him to slowly pick up the knife and put it back up. He did, and I reholstered my revolver. I threw the 50 cents at the woman and said "God bless. Y'all have a nice day." I walked in the store after making sure they walked off and making note of where they went. I asked the clerk, who was on the phone, if he had seen what just happened. "What?" was his response. He had been iting down yacking on the phone behind the counter. Missed the whole damn thing. No cameras out front either. I went and used the bathroom as I was about to wet my own pants.
Never called the cops. I remember what they look like to this day. In a way, I regret not calling the police. Hopefully he learned his lesson.
Now, before anyone says I shouldn't have cocked the hammer (which in hindsight may have been a no-no), keep in mind what condition I was in. I had just recovered form a 5 hour surgery fixing my lumbar. The three disks not removed were decompressed and had a laminectomy performed around them. My neurosurgeon said something like this would have taken me 9-12 months to recover from if I was 40. My back may have been strong enough to stop PT and move back, but it was not strong enough to have someone stab and/or tackle me. Just glad I'm okay.
It was mid-April of last year. I was moving back down from NW Georgia to the college town of Statesboro near Savannah. I had loaded up my band new car, and was four months post-op from having most of my lumbar fused (L3-S1). I had just that week completed my last physical therapy, and, as any college kid would be, had my car loaded down with 90% of everything I owned at the time. I had gotten a 24oz. cup of coffee before I got on the highway, and by the time I hit Atlanta, my eyeballs were floating.
I was taking I-285 (the Atlanta bypass) to go around the usually horrible traffic found on I-75. It was longer, but usually quicker and less hectic. As I said, I had to pee like a racehorse. I pulled off on an exit and whipped into a parking spot on the front, right-hand corner of the convenience store. I was the only car in the parking lot and no one was on the pumps (it was about 9 in the morning on a Sunday).
There was a payphone on the corner which I had parked, and a woman was standing in front of it. I stepped out, and she politely asked me for 50 cents to use the payphone. I had it to spare, and didn't really mind. Besides, there was a cold front in the area that had brought a cold, misty rain.
I started digging in my pockets when her buddy, an African-American male, started running towards us from around the other corner of the building. I glanced over in time to see him jump off the curb onto the pavement while pulling something out of his pocket. He was running towards me, and she was backing up. I put my hand on the grip of a still concealed S&W 66-2 with a 4"bll in a Fobus paddle holster under my windbreaker. He pulled his hand out and whipped open a small tactical folder. I don't even remember drawing, but I whipped it out, pulled the hammer back, and had my finger on the trigger guard.
He froze, dropped the knife, and lost control of his bladder at the same time. His baggy, bright red sweatpants had a growing dark red spot. The woman looked at him, looked at me, then back at him. He looked at her, then back at me. I told him to slowly pick up the knife and put it back up. He did, and I reholstered my revolver. I threw the 50 cents at the woman and said "God bless. Y'all have a nice day." I walked in the store after making sure they walked off and making note of where they went. I asked the clerk, who was on the phone, if he had seen what just happened. "What?" was his response. He had been iting down yacking on the phone behind the counter. Missed the whole damn thing. No cameras out front either. I went and used the bathroom as I was about to wet my own pants.
Never called the cops. I remember what they look like to this day. In a way, I regret not calling the police. Hopefully he learned his lesson.
Now, before anyone says I shouldn't have cocked the hammer (which in hindsight may have been a no-no), keep in mind what condition I was in. I had just recovered form a 5 hour surgery fixing my lumbar. The three disks not removed were decompressed and had a laminectomy performed around them. My neurosurgeon said something like this would have taken me 9-12 months to recover from if I was 40. My back may have been strong enough to stop PT and move back, but it was not strong enough to have someone stab and/or tackle me. Just glad I'm okay.
OldMarksman
Staff
Great story, Hunley!
You had had a pint and a half of coffee, and it was he who, uh, lost control.
Well, as they say, it was you or him!
I think we really have to train ourselves to not cock the hammer and to shoot double action. Frankly, that was new to me when I took the CCW class last summer. At least you had your finger on the guard.
That's another one of those no-shots-fired events where having the gun proved crucial.
You had had a pint and a half of coffee, and it was he who, uh, lost control.
Well, as they say, it was you or him!
I think we really have to train ourselves to not cock the hammer and to shoot double action. Frankly, that was new to me when I took the CCW class last summer. At least you had your finger on the guard.
That's another one of those no-shots-fired events where having the gun proved crucial.
Marksman , While again I respect and understand your views ....
This is a decision of the poster ... weather to help his fellow man by sharing his experiences.... It is up to us to as the readers to read them and try to understand them and put them into practice. To try and better understand the real life emotions and scenarios that we may not have otherwise expected or planed on.
I created this thread in the hopes that others (my fellow men ) may help me and others to better prepare and understand what to expect in given situations... It is often said " The likely hood of you ever having to draw your gun is so rare ..... " and while this may be true , I would like to be better educated in how to handle the situations where it IS necessary and how others handled it... to learn from their mistakes or to follow their lead... ( as is also often said) " A wise man learns from the mistakes of others "
For the posters that have given their experiences and information , I thank you , each one has given me another perspective to look at situations and has better ARMED me with knowledge of the possibilities .... I hope to see me more following this post.
This is a decision of the poster ... weather to help his fellow man by sharing his experiences.... It is up to us to as the readers to read them and try to understand them and put them into practice. To try and better understand the real life emotions and scenarios that we may not have otherwise expected or planed on.
I created this thread in the hopes that others (my fellow men ) may help me and others to better prepare and understand what to expect in given situations... It is often said " The likely hood of you ever having to draw your gun is so rare ..... " and while this may be true , I would like to be better educated in how to handle the situations where it IS necessary and how others handled it... to learn from their mistakes or to follow their lead... ( as is also often said) " A wise man learns from the mistakes of others "
For the posters that have given their experiences and information , I thank you , each one has given me another perspective to look at situations and has better ARMED me with knowledge of the possibilities .... I hope to see me more following this post.
Hunley , Thank you also for that .... Between you , Marksman and others I have seen a few replies that CONFIRM the need to carry a weapon ... Thankfully with no shots fired , the presence of a weapon for self defense ( under 2nd right ) has avoided a very dangerous situation.
Please , continue to share your stories !!
Please , continue to share your stories !!
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
It can be illegal in other places. I used to own rental property in NY state, the landlord must be able to gain access to the apartment in an emergency. Keyless deadbolts or others locks they cannot open are a no-no. (At least they were 4 or 5 years ago.)
SquidWarrior
New member
This is a valid thread and a valid question, completely in line with Tactics and Training. For many who have been involved in shootings, its hard to talk about. This group involves me. I was involved in a shooting once while working plane clothes at a military sponcered concert that was open to the public. Like an earlier poster said:
One time while I was in le & lets just say we went home
+1
I shed teers for a man that tried to kill my shipmate that night.
Bottom line, give only the information that you are comfortable giving. No one says you have to answer.
One time while I was in le & lets just say we went home
+1
I shed teers for a man that tried to kill my shipmate that night.
Bottom line, give only the information that you are comfortable giving. No one says you have to answer.
David Armstrong
Moderator
You make an unsubstantiated claim that such warnings are done because one needs to be a nanny. Such warning advice is no more nanny-ish than any other form of "be careful out there" commentary. One can give advice for a number of reasons.
Willie Lowman
New member
I had a thread where I told the details of pointing my shotgun at a drunk kid who had broken into my apartment. He and his buddy took off when one of my roommates said that he was calling the cops.
That happened 8 years ago. I made a lot of "tactical" mistakes in that brief encounter. No body got hurt. The cops got called and the drunks got arrested later on.
I received some good advise from that thread but I was shocked by the number of responses that told me that I had made a mistake by not taking the lives of two guys who were out numbered, out gunned (they were unarmed), and so drunk they could hardly stand.
That happened 8 years ago. I made a lot of "tactical" mistakes in that brief encounter. No body got hurt. The cops got called and the drunks got arrested later on.
I received some good advise from that thread but I was shocked by the number of responses that told me that I had made a mistake by not taking the lives of two guys who were out numbered, out gunned (they were unarmed), and so drunk they could hardly stand.
David Armstrong
Moderator
Some folks seem to take to heart the immortal words of Weird Al Yankovic;
Got an AK-47, well you know it makes me feel all right
Got an Uzi by my pillow, helps me sleep a little better at night
There's no feeling any greater
Than to shoot first and ask questions later
Now I'm trigger happy, trigger happy every day
Unsubstantiated? Of course they are nannyish. Those posts offer nothing but admonishments based on an unfounded claim that the posts in question have created legal problems for the poster.
Okay...since he opened that door: has there EVER been a substantiated case where a narrative forum post that recounted a first-person experience which involved a firearm ended with a conviction or any other legal problems? If there has, please cite them.
Until then, his admonishments are nothing more than an increase in the noise to signal ratio of the original post's asking for forum members to relate and share their personal experiences.
KingEdward
New member
I am not too interested in the statements some make. Like "I'll grab my XD and go COM until they're on a stretcher" or when I read statements such as, "in my house, at 3 am, there will be no asking questions".
I too can make bold statements or can speak before thinking.
I am very interested in doing the best job I can in staying aware, being prepared, and if/when duty calls (SD in home or on street) only shooting to protect my life and/or family life.
I think the hardest thing I think about sometimes is being woken up at 4 am. standing my ground near the bedroom (I will not clear or go inspecting if the alarm is sounding) and then here comes the BG in my house towards the sleeping quarters and it's a kid. Not my kid but some 13 year old either stealing for drugs or maybe being gang initiated. Shooting all of sudden still seems a possibity and I'm not one to want to get into holding people and all that. That's one of the only situations I can think of where I might light him up with a mag lite and be real verbal and go from there.
But there are still variables / does he have associates outside/inside, is he armed? is he hight?
I too can make bold statements or can speak before thinking.
I am very interested in doing the best job I can in staying aware, being prepared, and if/when duty calls (SD in home or on street) only shooting to protect my life and/or family life.
I think the hardest thing I think about sometimes is being woken up at 4 am. standing my ground near the bedroom (I will not clear or go inspecting if the alarm is sounding) and then here comes the BG in my house towards the sleeping quarters and it's a kid. Not my kid but some 13 year old either stealing for drugs or maybe being gang initiated. Shooting all of sudden still seems a possibity and I'm not one to want to get into holding people and all that. That's one of the only situations I can think of where I might light him up with a mag lite and be real verbal and go from there.
But there are still variables / does he have associates outside/inside, is he armed? is he hight?
In the late 50s my Grandma was home when a guy tried to get in the back door, she got the shotgun and loaded it up. Got back to that room just as he got the door open, he had a knife, she shot him point blank and he died right there. She wasnt arrested, in those days it was considered justified. She is gone now but I always admired her spunk and keen wit.
Saw a silly shooting once. Was on a hunting trip in the early 60s, 2 guys had been hitting the sauce and argueing about the effectivness of a shotgun and number 6 shot at 50 feet. So one guy paces it out and turns his back to the shooter who shot him with 6 shot. It penetrated the coat and his back, they dug some shot out of him that afternoon. Probably why I hunt alone these days or with my brother only.
My godfather was in Nam round 65 or 66, he was shot in the back by a full auto, showed me the scars, wasnt pretty, said he got a bunch of them till he was over run and turned to get under cover when he was shot up.
2 guys I worked with in the 70s were Nam vets, one carried the other a long way after his lower leg was shot up. Bad scar but still on 2 feet and still around altho he has slowed down a bit.
Guns are not play thing nor is getting shot or shooting someone else a happy time. Not to be made lite of IMHO.
Saw a silly shooting once. Was on a hunting trip in the early 60s, 2 guys had been hitting the sauce and argueing about the effectivness of a shotgun and number 6 shot at 50 feet. So one guy paces it out and turns his back to the shooter who shot him with 6 shot. It penetrated the coat and his back, they dug some shot out of him that afternoon. Probably why I hunt alone these days or with my brother only.
My godfather was in Nam round 65 or 66, he was shot in the back by a full auto, showed me the scars, wasnt pretty, said he got a bunch of them till he was over run and turned to get under cover when he was shot up.
2 guys I worked with in the 70s were Nam vets, one carried the other a long way after his lower leg was shot up. Bad scar but still on 2 feet and still around altho he has slowed down a bit.
Guns are not play thing nor is getting shot or shooting someone else a happy time. Not to be made lite of IMHO.