Had a strange night

[Webbj0219]

Ok its fathers day about 11:30 pm. And I notice a strange car parked outside half in my driveway. I live on a dead end street with only four driveways. So I have a good idea of all the cars my neighbors have. This one I've never seen here before. So I turn on my lamppost, and the car is still idling there. I get my superbright tactical flashlight and shine it out the window. The car flashes its headlights a couple times?? wierd. Then a few minutes later the car goes into reverse and rolls forward about 10 ft. and actually softly hits a car parked in front of it, then stalls. Car starts back up again still in reverse. This time revving up high and moving back real slow. And backs up into the old widows drive way and sets parking brake. I think this is starting to get really weird. Im not sure if this is some kinda stake out or what, just strange. I know that Ive never seen company over at this lady's house and all her lights are out. I dont think Ill be able to just go to bed with looking into it.

Now Im getting geared up to have a look. I get my holster on my belt. load my .38, and get my light. I walk up to the driveway beam the light in thru their windshield. I see its a young man driving with a young woman passenger. Car looks like a dark colored ford probe with Massachusettes plates. Dont remember the plate number

So I walk up to the passenger side door and the woman rolls it down. I ask what their up to, as I get hit in the face with a cloud of pot smoke. The driver asks me what im doing there? Huh?? I repeat the question and he says, "I live here". I say,"no you dont"! Then the woman says that she is the daughter of one of my other neighbors and that the widow has let them park there before during the winter snow ban. She says she told him to back in there. I was gonna tell them to head out. But the guy is getting outa the car walking around the front and marching right up to me fast spouting some garbage. He looked like the classic wangster, pants around the knees black and white scarface t-shirt thats 8 sizes too big for him. Walking like he thought he was Tony Montana. I wasnt sure if he was planning to shove me or talk some smack with his face right in mine? So I stoped his intimidation tactic by stepping back into the light and patting my hand on my holster a few times. He exclaims,"You got a gun"? "Your packin"?? "Welll I got a gat too"! "Your not the only one with a gat"! "Thinking your the big man with the gun". I say to him that, he had better not take it out or I'll shoot him. So he starts cursing and pretending to shoot me with his finger (sideways). At this point my adrenaline is pumping im standing like the guy in High Noon with my hand over my gun ready to draw. thinking of all the variables the woman is outa the car begging him to stop and trying to calm him down, but she is outa the way. I focus on his chest, there is nothing behind him but my driveway and garage. I see myself shooting him twice in the pecs. Ready to draw on him if he really does lift up his shirt or reach into his pocket. But he doesnt. So I decide to head back. But ive got to walk by him to get to my place. There are some bushes on the side so I have to walk within a couple feet of him. So I beam him in the eyes as I walk past in an attempt to keep him from trying anything. He says,"OHH you got a flashlight, I got one of those". "You aint the only one with a flashlight". then he says,"you better walk away", in a softer tone now. I turn around and tell them to clear out or ill call the police. He says,"go ahead call the police and tell them that your running around pulling a gun on ppl". "YEAH I know all about the gun laws". "You cant go around like that carrying a gun". I say,"I never drew my gun". "Yeah you did". I turn to the woman who is now coming up to me appologizing profusely. I ask her if she saw me draw my gun, she says,"no". ( just wanted to make sure that the story was straight that I did not draw on him. I think that is a fellony) About this time the womans father is coming outside to see what all the shouting is about. Wangster starts telling the guy that I pulled a gun on him. I say That,"This isnt Massachusettes". "I can open carry a gun in new hampshire, and I never drew on him". He calls his daghter inside. and Mr. Montana gets in his car and tears off, bottoming out really bad on the dip and the end of the driveway. I go inside and try to go to sleep, took me a few hoursthough to doze off.

So what do you guys/ Gals think?? I respect that you have allot of insight into these kinda things. Did I handle this right or wrong?? I think maybe I should have just called the police? Maybe he would have been arrested depending on how much green he had.

 

[Yo Mama]

This time revving up high and moving back real slow. And backs up into the old widows drive way and sets parking brake.

This is the point to have called the police.

You packing heat and going to investigate opens yourself up to so many liabilities. In addition, your .38 is really a defensive handgun, and not something I'd want to go investigating with.

I was gonna tell them to head out. But the guy is getting outa the car walking around the front and marching right up to me fast spouting some garbage. He looked like the classic wangster, pants around the knees black and white scarface t-shirt thats 8 sizes too big for him. Walking like he thought he was Tony Montana. I wasnt sure if he was planning to shove me or talk some smack with his face right in mine? So I stoped his intimidation tactic by stepping back into the light and patting my hand on my holster a few times. He exclaims,"You got a gun"? "Your packin"?? "Welll I got a gat too"! "Your not the only one with a gat"! "Thinking your the big man with the gun".

And this is why you should have called the police.

Oh well, learn and live. Glad your ok. I'd also have a discussion with the daughter and father on what will happen if there ever is a next time.

 

[rainbowbob]

So what do you guys/ Gals think?? I respect that you have allot of insight into these kinda things. Did I handle this right or wrong?? I think maybe I should have just called the police?

I think you correctly answered your own question.

In the future, do NOT leave the protection (and legal sanctity) of your house to investigate - call the police and observe.

The exception might be if you were certain a violent crime was occurring and you were convinced you had to take immediate action.

 

[DHJenkins]

I think maybe I should have just called the police?

Ya think?

Just because you have open carry, that doesn't make you a cop, which you apparently thought you were. You expected to be a hero, maybe scare some kids off, and instead ran into a criminal that's not afraid of you and now knows where you live.

You screwed up on so many levels it's not even worth going into.

 

[george29]

I'm sorry but my mall ninja alarm is going off

No reason to be unkind or a know-it-all.

You screwed up on so many levels it's not even worth going into.

He knows he screwed up otherwise he wouldn't have been soliciting advice. Sometimes I am a Mr. Hyde on the internet too but I don't think the OP deserves sarcasm or rude attitudes.

My rule of thumb is once it's inside my home, it needs my immediate attention. If it's in the yard, I call the heat and let them deal with it. Otherwise it's just going to escalate for sure.

I'm not going to get goaded into a flame war here so don't bother replying in a nasty manner, just get a cold drink and calm down..

 

[ezypikns]

You had no idea what you were walking into.

I imagine that type of unknown situation would even make a veteran police officer nervous.

 

[DHJenkins]

It's called "tough love", george29.

This thread isn't about what color his holster should be - it's about the OP putting himself in real danger for no good reason.

No need to get so offended on another's behalf - I'm sure he can speak for himself.

 

[lebowski]

If it were me, at the point the guy flashed his headlights and backed into the other car, I would have called the police and described what you saw up to that point. I'd also mention to the dispatcher that I'm pretty sure the guy is drunk (which isn't an unreasonable assumption given he bumped the other car).

I would not have approached the car, with or without a gun. Shining a flashlight at him let him know you know he's there, his flashing his lights in response indicates he doesn't care what you think (despite the fact he's in front of your house).

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Wow. Definitely some tough love on this very interesting thread. Not exactly sure how I would've reacted. The input from everyone made me think of a few things I might not otherwise have; and the reason why I joined this forum.

As a homeowner though, it is hard not to be the big dog on the porch when you see suspicious activity outside your front window.

 

[Rockwell1]

s a homeowner though, it is hard not to be the big dog on the porch when you see suspicious activity outside your front window

That's fine but as long as it's outside your window you call the cops.

 

[lebowski]

And BTW they hadn't broken any laws at that point MYOB

While I agree w/ most of your post, if an occupied car is idling half parked in my driveway at night and I can't identify it as one of my neighbors, that is my business IMO.

And the couple was breaking the law. I have no problem if someone wants to light up, but not in a car parked in front of my house please.

Like I said, I would have called the cops and said the driver was acting suspicious and appeared to be under the influence, which he was.

Walking outside with a gun was stupid, though.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Bad Move You should have stayed indoors and call the Police. What you did could have gone south really fast.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

That's fine but as long as it's outside your window you call the cops.

Ok. I can live with that. But, don't you think the local police would get a little annoyed calling 911 to chase of meddlesome kids?

There used to be a time when folks could handle their own business w/out LE. If we have any LEOs on board this thread, I'd like to hear their thoughts. It is just frustrating the mental cheetah flips you have to go thru when defending your perimeter nowadays :banghead:

I guess when in doubt call the cops....

 

[V1K1NG0]

After thinking about this for a bit, this is when you should have called the police. "Then a few minutes later the car goes into reverse and rolls forward about 10 ft. and actually softly hits a car parked in front of it, then stalls."

Second instance in which you should have thought to leave (get tag number) and call police.

"I ask what their up to, as I get hit in the face with a cloud of pot smoke."

Depending on how long it would take for the police to arrive in your area just monitor the situation until they arrive. If it was daytime then maybe I would take my "dogs for a walk" and get a closer look at the vehicle.

I know it is hard to think it out when it is all happening and I am not an expert but everyone can learn from this.

Another idea would have been to call the neighbor if you had their number. It's a good thing to get to know your neighbors.

I would keep an eye out for the next couple of weeks to see if they roll by again.

 

[highorder]

don't you think the local police would get a little annoyed calling 911 to chase of meddlesome kids?

Thats the job, isn't it?

How do you know those "meddlesome kids" weren't armed home invaders, child predators, drug runners, or any other manner of serious criminal?

The police should have been called long before the OP walked out the door.

Walking up to a suspicious car window at night is asking to get shot.

 

[bababooey32]

Rockwell1: +153

You addressed each mistake he made. Tough love? Yes. Self defense is serious business. Making all the mistakes made by OP could have easily cost him his life. I hope he is not offended. If Rockwell1 didn't care, he wouldn't have bothered with his post.

I think the gun community has a responsibility to educate one another when requested and appropriate.

 

[Rockwell1]

if an occupied car is idling half parked in my driveway at night and I can't identify it as one of my neighbors, that is my business IMO.

I agree with you up to a point, it's your business but the (IMO) appropriate response is to observe with out making yourself known. I don't see any good that comes from needlessly engaging a stranger who presents no real threat to you.

And the couple was breaking the law. I have no problem if someone wants to light up, but not in a car parked in front of my house please.

But remember the OP had to leave his house, tresspass on the neighbor's property and approach a suspicious vehicle to ascertain that. And remember, we have no way of knowing it was pot that he smelled might have been pitchuli.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Highorder; thanks for the response. I just have trouble relying on other people to do things I should be able to do myself. I agree with your statement about walking up to a parked car, whole heartedly!!

But you all have really made me carefully wargame any response I may have to a potential similar situation.

I think the gun community has a responsibility to educate one another when requested and appropriate.

+1 for bababooey.

 

[Pun1sher]

Horrible, horrible move. You should have stayed put, brought out the rifle, and simply kept an eye on the situation. No need to go out there and throw away your life. To be blunt, you could be dead right now.

 

[lebowski]

Highorder; thanks for the response. I just have trouble relying on other people to do things I should be able to do myself.

That's the thing, it's NOT something you are or should be able to do yourself. This is what we have police for. Protecting yourself is one thing, going out and starting a confrontation is another.

Make sure you know your local gun laws. I'm not familiar with GA gun laws, but my understanding in general is that castle doctrine is not going to protect you if you go out into the street or a neighbors driveway and confront someone. Had the situation escalated and you used deadly force, you could be facing jail time. Think about that next time you decide to confront someone with a gun.

 

[Webbj0219]

Thanx for the inpute. Hindsight is 20/20. I think it was better to be armed to investigate. But now after reading your posts and thinking some more. In the future i think Ill only check it out if its on my property. It shouldnt have been my problem anymore once they crossed the street. maybe call the police at that point? And Im sure Im not the only one who has done something like this. feeling like a dumbass

 

[Webbj0219]

Oh yeah I talked to my dad about this as well. He sayd that i should get rid of the gun. But if I decide to keep it for self defense I should take a class for it.

 

[2RCO]

Webb

Don't get rid of the gun -Just don't try to be a cop. When you go out open carrying to investigate in the neighbors yard that's taking a LEO's role not your own. That gun on your hip is for the defense of yourself and family and doesn't make you a Deputized member of law enforcement. The Cops work for us use them.

Keep the gun open carry if you want and can responsibly but only for your protection.

 

[Mooney13H]

I agree with most that you should have called the police when the car backed out of your drive. In your drive is different.
One thing I would add is that a camera is a very interesting tool in this situation. You can stand in your yard and take pictures of a strange car and it will be them that will either leave or ask you what you are doing. You now have picture ID of the car, license, and possibly the occupants if needed later. If they are innocent and there for good reason, no big deal, no confrontation.

BTW, I would be packing concealed while I took the pictures.

 

[Rockwell1]

Oh yeah I talked to my dad about this as well. He sayd that i should get rid of the gun. But if I decide to keep it for self defense I should take a class for it.

When I lived out in Nevada. Had someone get angry and follow my friend and I in my truck for a bit. We were both armed. So we decided to head out into the middle of the dessert to an area where there were some old mineshafts. To freak them out. Once we got off the paved road they turned around. I guess they werent angry enough at us to figure out what we were up to. So we did some target shooting for a while then went back to town. I guess if they did call our bluff we coulda kept on driving or maybe asked if they would like to have a shooting competition or something

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5633417#post5633417

Given the above post, dear ol’ dad might be on to something