So it's 10:45pm and I hear 3 shots......

[TonyB]

The other night ,I'm just getting ready for bed..my wife and grown step-son are in the kitchen..then I hear 1 LOUD gun shot..followed by 2 more..I mean they shook the house..We live in the country,so if this was in the day time,I wouldn't think twice(I often shoot out back).but it was dark,real dark...so I come flying out of the bedroom,to my wife and son's wide eyed look..we all agree it was REAL close,and I go into defense mode....having just taken my Carry gun off,I was un-armed(should've armed myself on the way out of the bedroom..1st mistake).so I go to the gun safe to get my Glcok17...get the hidden key(there are 2 keys on the ring,one for long gun safe,the other for the pistol safe,which I don't even use anymore,mistake #2)fumble with keys,put wrong one in first,finally get safe open(need to practice this and have only ONE key on the ring)...at this point my step son goes OUTSIDE,un-armed(3rd mistake)..I stand in the doorway telling him ot get back in(at the low ready)...he comes back in,and realizes his dumb move....
we decide the shots came from next door,where a judge lives..so I call him...now if he doesn't pick up I'm calling the police,but not going to investigate,just holding the fort...well he picks up....he says"sorry about that,I just bought a new gun and wanted to see if it worked.."I say no problem just making sure you're ok.....we hang up.....of course I can't go to sleep for like 2 hours,and I'm still in crisis mode...and wondering why he decided to test his gun out in the dark,how can you see if you hit anything??
all in all I learned some things I need to change.....how do you guys see this situation??I know I scewed up in a couple areas,so don't beat me up too bad ;)

[spacemanspiff]

consider yourself fortunate that you do live in an area where gunshots are rare to hear. around my 'hood, SOP is to call police to report sounds of shots fired, and roll over back to sleep.

unless they are real closeby, then its time for a ninja-patrol of the yard and driveway.

[TonyB]

spiff....they're rare at 10:45 pm......during the day though,it's every countri-fied man for himself....like most people on my road I have a back yard range... :neener:

[Alex45ACP]

Something like that happened to me this morning... got up to use the bathroom, walking back to my bedroom, and all of a sudden BOOM! My whole house shakes like a meteorite landed nearby :what:

Me: *** was that?!?!...oh well, if it was serious I'll hear about it on the news.

*stumbles back into bed, goes back to sleep*

:D

[Dionysusigma]

Shots fired = District of Columbia Lullaby :D

I'd say you did fine. :)

[Nitram68]

Looks like you've got things covered. You evaluated what you did, identified some things you'd change and will hopefully act upon those things. All in all, I don't think, given your circumstances, you didn't do too bad. Kid running outside was the worst thing that happened.

[Arc-Lite]

I think tonight, I would go over to the judges home, and tell him the story of chicken little....and maybe make it clear, that those sounds, at that time of night.....is not wise, if your just jerking around, usually caps being poped that late....is a call for help....or the opening of a fire fight.... tell him next time, if you hear him....you could just blow it off....for him "testing" another gun...instead of coming to his assistance. I think you did good, running a SHTF drill.. and no matter how fast you are, it never seams fast enough..... as for your neighbor... I think his judgement....needs some attention. You I would welcome as my neighbor...him...I would be glad to see him sell his home...and move....I would keep an eye on him.

[Relayer]

I'd agree with everyone that you did pretty well.

Kid outside looking is a big no no that I'm sure you've made sure he won't repeat. Worst mistake you made IMHO was not practicing (or practicing enough) your plan execution. A plan without adequate practice is not a good plan, and do it with someone holding a stopwatch on you (puts time pressure on you) to give you an idea of how long it takes, and to note your progress on cutting the time down.

Still, you've got a plan, and you've analyzed it. That's commendable.

I agree (if you have a decent relationship with the judge) you might want to discuss shooting that late with your neighbor. Mainly because shooting that late should (ought to) mean that some one has encountered some serious trouble and may need assistance.

Just my thoughts...

[38SnubFan]

he says"sorry about that,I just bought a new gun and wanted to see if it worked. Ummm.....that's what the firing range is for! DUH! :rolleyes: :cuss:

-Snub

[TonyB]

38Snubfan..I would agree about the range..except that in our area,it's not unusual for people to shoot in their yards..just not in the dark..I shoot in the back all the time..I've had the local Police show up a couple times,always have them say "hey this is the country,people are going to shoot in their back yard."I love living where I do for that reason.....thanks for the vortes of re-assurance guys..... :cool:

[TarpleyG]

Well, I can solve your key fumbling issue. Here's what I do. When I get home, I go straight to the safe in my closet (a fairly large AMSEC) and open it. I put my carry gun in and close and latch the door but I leave the dial open. Now I have instant access to all my guns while I am at home. If I am home, it is unlocked. If I am away it is locked. No reason to lock it while I am home.

I leave a small handgun out (hidden) all the time for my wife to get to if I am not home. She has a key and the combination but does not have the wherewithall to unlock it when she gets home. She just doesn't care (something else I am working on).

Greg

[TonyB]

TarpleyG..I don't know why I never thought of that.....I think I may leave it open when I'm home too....

[38SnubFan]

TonyB I'll have to concede on your point about backyards. I live out in the country myself and just have to drive to my girlfriend's parents' house and shoot away in their backyard.

-Snub

[redbone]

No sweat. Consider it a training drill.

RBH

[YammyMonkey]

You could use a Sharpie marker or some paint to color code the keys so you know which is which. If you might need them in the dark, drill a big hole in one, put on of those plastic/rubber key covers on one, something like that so you can ID it by feel.

I keep my gun in the holster and the holster on the belt and the belt on the pants, fully loaded out with keys, etc. ready to go where I can just sit up in bed, put the feet out and pull the pants on. Much easier if something goes bump (or boom) in the night.

I think I would have grabbed the AR under the bed or a shotgun, if you have one available and reserve the pea-shooter for backup.

Good to hear you had some lessons learned and now have a better sense of "The Plan."

[armedandsafe]

Consider: Judge on phone with you, BG standing at his side, gun pointed at Judge's head, Judge says, "sorry about that,I just bought a new gun and wanted to see if it worked."

I have 4 neighbors on this road. If any are in that situation, the one on the safe end hears some comment about "chocolate cake." That is the "red flag," as it were. Sheriff and other neighbors get calls and the Cavalry rides out on white horses.

Pops

[one-shot-one]

that adrealine(sp) dump a wonderful thing when it don't get used up?
gives mea terrible back ach.

[earonthief]

All in all you did well. Your basic plan worked and you have identified some weak points that need refinement. And all it cost you this time was some adrenaline and sleep :mad: . Modify your plan, test your plan and wait for the next test.