OMG!! BLAM BLAM BLAM!!

[downwardspiral 0]

You should be ashamed of yourself. That burgler probably shit his pants when you jumped out with your firearm. Now I hope you learned your lesson. Get rid of all your firearms and be a proper little victim like so many people want you to be.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[sinker 0]

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did you know he didn't have a gun? what would you have done if he had tried to over power you? i presume you would not have shot him, but what would you have done with the gun? you can't just place it on the floor while you have a fist fight with him, he could have picked it up himself... how could you have made sure he didn't get it and also make sure it didn't go off accidently? i'm not trying to have an argument, just curious

i don't think you're being argumentative at all, no worries man.

I could see his hands the entire time, the weather was warm and he didn't appear to have any sort of weapon. This was confirmed when the cops came. They searched him and he was not armed. Of course, I couldn't be sure of that at the time, but it was a chance I was willing to take. As soon as I jumped out at him, which appeared to startle him, I demanded his arms up, and he complied. I also told him to kneel, which he also did.

Although I was not pointing my gun directly at him, it was at low-ready position, . It was clear to him that charging (before he was kneeling) would have resulted in being shot. Him trying to overpower me was not an option he had. He was getting closer to my children's rooms and I wasn't about to let him try to ingress the house there. Likewise, I was not about to enter my children's bedroom and wait for him to try to enter there. If he would try and a struggle insued or I was to shoot him, I would have unnecessarily involved the kids in the trauma.

As it happened, I had the element of surprise, I didn't think he was armed, and he readily complied with my commands, seeing that any resistance was futile.

These types of scenarios play out in America ALL THE TIME. In almost ALL cases, just the presence of a gun that can be used in self-defense is enough to prevent/deter/thwart a serious violent crime. Many people have tried to research the frequency of these events, I'd say the most accurate would be John Lott... I don't recall the numbers he has come up w/ but I thik it's like 1.5-2 million times per year that these scenarios occur.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[rehmwa 2]

And, for every 100 stories like sinker's, one of them the crook rushes and must be shot. 99 either run away and rob the neighbor's house or are detained with no harm.

Guess which story makes the national news?

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[sinker 0]

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You should be ashamed of yourself. That burgler probably shit his pants when you jumped out with your firearm. Now I hope you learned your lesson. Get rid of all your firearms and be a proper little victim like so many people want you to be.

sorry, i'll go hock my gun now... *turns w/ tail b/t legs, walks away sheepishly...

seriously though, I honestly think this event REALLY changed this guys life. He and I talked for a long time after the cops left. He'd never come face to face w/ the reality of his own mortality. He kept talking about how he always thought how invincible he was, young, strong, never got caught, etc. However, that night, he realized what shit his life was, that I was willing to possibly kill him in order to protect my beloved family. He said it made him feel small and insignificant, not big and macho, like stealing made him feel. We shook hands as he left. My wife even woke up and came and introduced herself to him. Not a typical encounter w/ a would-be intruder.

He was very polite as he left, haven't seen him since. I hope he truly has turned his life around.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[sinker 0]

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And, for every 100 stories like sinker's, one of them the crook rushes and must be shot. 99 either run away and rob the neighbor's house or are detained with no harm.

Guess which story makes the national news?

[sarcasm] yeah... no bias against guns in the news, is there. [/sarcasm]

what really burns my ass is that if that young man DID try to harm me and I shot him in self defense, he could sue me and has a fairly decent chance of winning. And God forbid if he died, his family would definately sue and could ruin me financially. Of course anyone can sue, but the fact that criminals and their families actually WIN lawsuits where law-abiding citizens justifiably defend themselves to me is just insane.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[bodypilot90 0]

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Interesting story. How was it he didn't run when he saw you with your firearm?

he was french and decided to surrender

[Scoop 0]

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did you know he didn't have a gun? what would you have done if he had tried to over power you? i presume you would not have shot him, but what would you have done with the gun? you can't just place it on the floor while you have a fist fight with him, he could have picked it up himself... how could you have made sure he didn't get it and also make sure it didn't go off accidently? i'm not trying to have an argument, just curious

i don't think you're being argumentative at all, no worries man.

I could see his hands the entire time, the weather was warm and he didn't appear to have any sort of weapon. This was confirmed when the cops came. They searched him and he was not armed. Of course, I couldn't be sure of that at the time, but it was a chance I was willing to take. As soon as I jumped out at him, which appeared to startle him, I demanded his arms up, and he complied. I also told him to kneel, which he also did.

Although I was not pointing my gun directly at him, it was at low-ready position, . It was clear to him that charging (before he was kneeling) would have resulted in being shot. Him trying to overpower me was not an option he had. He was getting closer to my children's rooms and I wasn't about to let him try to ingress the house there. Likewise, I was not about to enter my children's bedroom and wait for him to try to enter there. If he would try and a struggle insued or I was to shoot him, I would have unnecessarily involved the kids in the trauma.

As it happened, I had the element of surprise, I didn't think he was armed, and he readily complied with my commands, seeing that any resistance was futile.

These types of scenarios play out in America ALL THE TIME. In almost ALL cases, just the presence of a gun that can be used in self-defense is enough to prevent/deter/thwart a serious violent crime. Many people have tried to research the frequency of these events, I'd say the most accurate would be John Lott... I don't recall the numbers he has come up w/ but I thik it's like 1.5-2 million times per year that these scenarios occur.

That is truly an amazing story. But (and yes I am playing devils advocate a little bit now) whats to say he wont just be thinking to himself 'right, next time I go to burgle, I need to be better equipped'

[AlexCrowley 0]

When I first moved here I was pretty much anti-firearms. Now I'm pretty much pro-firearms.

Stupid me decided to live in MA.

No firearms for me.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[sinker 0]

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That is truly an amazing story. But (and yes I am playing devils advocate a little bit now) whats to say he wont just be thinking to himself 'right, next time I go to burgle, I need to be better equipped'

you're totally right... he could try it... but think a minute... the overwhelming majority of criminals are looking for easy targets, convenience, easy ins, easy outs, little to no resistance. They want easy targets. This young man didn't know if my was was unarmed. He didn't know how many kids I have or what ages they are. He DOES know that I'm up late w/ no lights on... Most criminals will not take a chance w/ someone they know who is not an easy target. There may be that odd duck (billvon is a duck, I hear) who wants a challenge, but that's very rare. And, if he tries it, I'll likely be ready.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[rhys 0]

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In Reply To
as the old saying goes......

Southern by birth, redneck by choise

why are you happy to conform to the sterotypes of Americans? wouldn't you like to be seen as a bit more intelligent than that?


Why do you come here and trash talk anything other find entertaining and you do not like?

I'm not a stereotypical American. I'm just a person who lives in south Texas. Where beer and bullets go together.

You sir or another one of those "I'm better then you" people I do not like. So please go ahead and say what you will. Just know I could give a rats ass what some (personal attack) thinks.

you will find it is quite disturbing to many that so many people find this sort of behavior entertaining.

'southern by birth redneck by choice' says it all.

as wendy mentioned lead pollution should be taken onto account.(this renders the land useless and toxic) in fact lead poisoning probably plays a part in redneck reasoning.
some people find smashing things like cars and televisions entertaining. as well as a 'good ol shooting session'. others just sigh and roll thier eyes back in thier sockets.

Rednecks

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[sinker 0]

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When I first moved here I was pretty much anti-firearms. Now I'm pretty much pro-firearms.

Stupid me decided to live in MA.

No firearms for me.

So you've seen the light... looks like all those bodyslams have done you some good... now if you'd just move to a respectable state, you'd REALLY start livin!

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[sinker 0]

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you will find it is quite disturbing to many that so many people find this sort of behavior entertaining.

'southern by birth redneck by choice' says it all.

as wendy mentioned lead pollution should be taken onto account.(this renders the land useless and toxic) in fact lead poisoning probably plays a part in redneck reasoning.
some people find smashing things like cars and televisions entertaining. as well as a 'good ol shooting session'. others just sigh and roll thier eyes back in thier sockets.

Rednecks

I am not a redneck. Some of you know it is with reluctance that I actually admit to living in the south, due to the predjudicial contempt a lot of people have for those who live in the south.

That being said, I'd much rather have a redneck on my side than a pompous ass who dismisses those who like shooting, blowing up things, and other various redneck "sports". The rednecks I know here in Tennessee are typically very loyal to their friends, incredibly hard workers, will do about anything to help out someone in need, and, while simple in the cerebral areas, usually sincere and honest.

I'll take that over arrogance, elitism and dickheadedness any day.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Scoop 0]

We have a very different attitude to weapons over here in the UK. Its quite a scary thing to be in the presence of a firearm. Its fair to say most of the public are a little intimidated (but also reasured) when they go to the airport and see police officers patrolling with rifles on a sling around there body.
Although I dont have a great knowledge of them, I was in army cadets and got to do a fair bit of live firing and I have a great respect for them.

Ill give you an example of the impact even the image has. I was in a foot chase one night, chasing a guy through an estate where he had just assaulted someone. I couldnt catch him and we had been running for a fair time, I managed to shout up on the radio and another patrol attended. Little did I know it was firearms officers. They jumped out of there marked car in there black coveralls and baseball caps (unarmed) just screamed at him 'GET ON THE FLOOR, ARMED POLICE!' and he dropped so fast! Haha, he didnt even slow down before throwing himself on the deck.

Its strange to think that you guys take it for granted that all officers and a great deal of the public are armed.

Recreational use is a good thing, I enjoyed shooting. But weapons in the house I find a very scary thought. I think alot of people keep theirs locked at the gun club over here, unless they happen to have a secure gun cabinet.

[sinker 0]

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Its strange to think that you guys take it for granted that all officers and a great deal of the public are armed.

Recreational use is a good thing, I enjoyed shooting. But weapons in the house I find a very scary thought. I think alot of people keep theirs locked at the gun club over here, unless they happen to have a secure gun cabinet.

actually, the great majority of the public are NOT armed... in fact, in states where it is legal to get a concealed carry license, the citizens who actually avail themselves of the option are quite small.

still, i think one gets used to the general ubiquity of guns. just like anything else, guns are just another "thing" just another object, having no inherent moral value... again, they've been demonized by politicians, the media, movies, etc. for so long that to see a big evil black gun causes a visceral reaction in many people.

when I come upon a person who is legally carrying, i have no fear. I don't assume that they are mentally unstable or that I need to walk on eggshells around them...

weapons in the house, similar story... my kids are 8, 6, 2 and a half and 8 months. the younger two obviously are too young to learn the ropes of gun safety, but the 2.5 year old knows to never touch daddy's gun. however, the 6 and 8 year old have held daddies gun. they know what it looks like, where it's stored, what it feels like, what bullets look like, etc. if this frightens people it SHOULDN"T!!!

parents need to de-mystify guns! they can't be this hidden, secret thing! that's what gets kids into trouble. my kids can recite at the drop of a hat the 4 cardinal rules of gun safety. I can put my handgun -unloaded- on the floor and give them the word to safely handle it and they do... finger always off the trigger, out of the trigger guard, muzzle pointed down, never at anything or anyone they aren't willing to shoot, always assuming the gun is loaded, etc. They handle my Kimber .45 better than most adults! And I've taken them shooting... they've seen what bullets do to gallon jugs of water and to veggies. They know to never touch the gun unless given permission. It's not an issue for the kids. I don't fear an accident in this house, just as my dad, a retired cop, who hung his gun belt -w/ gun in it- up on his bdrm door every night, didn't fear one in our house growing up.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Wopelao 0]

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you will find it is quite disturbing to many that so many people find this sort of behavior entertaining.

'southern by birth redneck by choice' says it all.

as wendy mentioned lead pollution should be taken onto account.(this renders the land useless and toxic) in fact lead poisoning probably plays a part in redneck reasoning.
some people find smashing things like cars and televisions entertaining. as well as a 'good ol shooting session'. others just sigh and roll thier eyes back in thier sockets.

Rednecks

And you should then stop jumping as this a waste of time, burns fuels and is not providing a useful service to human cause

[JohnRich 4]

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i still think that the average person dosn't need one (gun) next to his/her bed so they can shoot anybody who tries to rob them...why not use a baseball bat

Because a baseball bat is less effective then a gun at stopping the crime and avoiding injury.

[Scoop 0]

People find it scary when I take my kit belt home and have my baton and pepper sray in it. Believe it or not, in the UK pepperspray is classed as, what british law calls, a Section 5 firearm and if found to have it at home, I could be arrested myself. - Like to add, I did have lawful excuse at the times I had it at home, OK sarge

Its just a different culture thing. The times my nephews have been around ive locked it all firmly away. But then they are not aware of what it is and the dangers.

Whilst it might be a culture shock to me, if its normal to you and your family, then there shouldnt be a problem. I know I have big knives in the kitchen, but I dont go showing all my mates. Its just a tool. I guess, in a slightly different way, this relates to you too. Yeah, its daddy's gun, so what.

[JohnRich 4]

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lead pollution should be taken onto account.(this renders the land useless and toxic)

Wrong. In the large majority of cases, lead from shooting ranges does not leach into the soil or water.

And it can be periodically harvested and recycled.

[Rebecca 0]

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i still think that the average person dosn't need one (gun) next to his/her bed so they can shoot anybody who tries to rob them...why not use a baseball bat

Because a baseball bat is less effective then a gun at stopping the crime and avoiding injury.

Ah, but so much more satisfying!


Until your arms get tired, then use the gun.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[sinker 0]

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i still think that the average person dosn't need one (gun) next to his/her bed so they can shoot anybody who tries to rob them...why not use a baseball bat

Because a baseball bat is less effective then a gun at stopping the crime and avoiding injury.

Ah, but so much more satisfying!


Until your arms get tired, then use the gun.

LMAO!!!! GAWD that was funny!!!

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Rebecca 0]

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i still think that the average person dosn't need one (gun) next to his/her bed so they can shoot anybody who tries to rob them...why not use a baseball bat

Because a baseball bat is less effective then a gun at stopping the crime and avoiding injury.

Ah, but so much more satisfying!


Until your arms get tired, then use the gun.

LMAO!!!! GAWD that was funny!!!

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[sinker 0]

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i still think that the average person dosn't need one (gun) next to his/her bed so they can shoot anybody who tries to rob them...why not use a baseball bat

Because a baseball bat is less effective then a gun at stopping the crime and avoiding injury.

Ah, but so much more satisfying!


Until your arms get tired, then use the gun.

LMAO!!!! GAWD that was funny!!!

if only you could get your avatar to wink at me....

*swoon*

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[rehmwa 2]

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[sarcasm] yeah... no bias against guns in the news, is there. [/sarcasm]

not so much, but :Man shoots poor kid makes the news

Man quietly stops burglary threat, had nice conversation - doesn' sell papers.

I think the kid told you what you wanted to hear (you didn't press charges right?)

Then went and told his friends to not rob your house (because you seemed decent AND had a gun). (It's cheaper to just go rob someone else that arm yourself and go to a place that might get hurt)

Or we was sincere. Either way, you win. Maybe the next house over can sue you when they get robbed, because by you making your house a less inviting target resulted in them being a more inviting target. (or should I be giving anti-gun types more ideas? shhhh)

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[sinker 0]

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[sarcasm] yeah... no bias against guns in the news, is there. [/sarcasm]

not so much, but :Man shoots poor kid makes the news

Man quietly stops burglary threat, had nice conversation - doesn' sell papers.

I think the kid told you what you wanted to hear (you didn't press charges right?)

Then went and told his friends to not rob your house (because you seemed decent AND had a gun). (It's cheaper to just go rob someone else that arm yourself and go to a place that might get hurt)

Or we was sincere. Either way, you win. Maybe the next house over can sue you when they get robbed, because by you making your house a less inviting target resulted in them being a more inviting target. (or should I be giving anti-gun types more ideas? shhhh)

do you honestly believe the mainstream media is NOT anti-gun?

i wasn't exactly thinking that my story is news worthy, but considering that armed citizens successfully deter violent crimes (violent crime has dropped in EVERY SINGLE state that has passed concealed carry laws), you'd think THAT would be newsworthy...

i think he was sincere... i am generally a good judge of character in person, having been a therapist for years. who knows... maybe he did go back to his criminal ways... hard to change your ways if you don't change your friends, your environment and all that, but seeing your life pass before your eyes can be a powerful motivator.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[rehmwa 2]

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do you honestly believe the mainstream media is NOT anti-gun?

I certainly do believe they are (typ) anti gun, even in hero stories. But, if your story WAS written up, no mention of you using the gun would appear. See the headline

"Wealthy White Suburban Home Owner Terrorizes Honor Student - page 3"

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants