I Hate To Ask But I Need Help!!!!

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J

jrpbullrider

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Lampasas, TX
To start with I have been thinking if I should ask y’all for help. Most of the time I try and do stuff like this myself it is just hard for me to ask for help. But I do not know how to handle this and I do not want to tell my wife about this yet; up until 2 years ago I was a field supervisor for a security com. (I was forced into retirement due to my right knee and my lower back). I dealt with a lot of the bad areas in south Dallas and before that I lived and worked in South and East Austin. I have 21 felony arrests over a 17 year career both in the army and out. The problem is one of the guys I put away for rape is now out and he knows the area that I live; he told me he was going to come after me when he is out. I never cared about it due to I was not married at the time, but I am now. The guy not only raped the young lady but also beat her so bad she almost did not make it. The LEO's around here told me they can not do anything yet, he has not done anything here yet. Y’all know the way it is. (And you can’t really think badly about the way they are)

What I need to know is:
Should I tell my wife?
Should I get more SD items at home, (right now all I have is 1 can of pepper spray, a .357 mag revo S&W Mod 19-5, and a lot of knives.) if so what would you say?
What is the best way to handle this?

I can not get a CHL right now due to meds I am on, (painkillers for my knee and back) but as soon as I can I will get one. I am trying to get another weapon, I hope to get a German 8 mm Mauser (I think it is the M-48) if I can. I know I should get a side arm or shotgun but all of the ones I have seen are too much $$$ and the 8mm is only $125.00 (and it is on my list of guns I need).

Thanks for any and all help.
John
 
Tell your wife, if you think there is legitimate reason for concern of her safety she needs to know. Tell your neighbors that you think someone might be coming around and to keep an eye out for you. No need to go into too much detail with them if you think it might freak them out.

Maverick shotgun from Academy is only $179. About $50 more than what you picked but worth it I think, especially with the cheaper practice ammo.

Spend lots of time at the range. Take your wife.
 
Tell your wife immediately. She needs to know what the situation is. If you are unable to get your concealed handgun permit, can she? If so, help her get it and carry a weapon. If you and her are together and something was to happen she could always give you the gun. The permit only says who's authorized to carry the weapon, not who uses it. If something was to happen to her while she is alone, she would have a weapon to defend herself. But the bottom line is that she needs to know of a potential threat. As for yourself, is open carry legal where you are? If so, find out what the restrictions if any are due to the painkillers. Be prepared, some criminals make idle threats, some criminals act on them. If at all possible, secure the most currect photograph of him as possible and train yourself and her to recognize him. Make note of any tatoos, or other body marks that could be used to identify him. The sooner you recognize the threat the sooner you can neutralize it. For your home, beef up security. Money may be a concern so get creative. For instance, keep all of the interior doors closed, install a simple metal braket above the doors with bell. If the door is opened, the bell will ring.(hard to see in the dark) You can also use prank fire crackers(the ones that you have to pull the 2 strings to set off) Fasten one side to the door and the other to the door frame. If the door is opened a loud pop will occur. This is if he decides to come through a window of another room. You could also put them on the window. Of course make sure you can render them inactive if you need to acces the room and don't want to scare the crap out of yourself or your wife(if that were to happen you would for sure need defence:D). Moving along to your bedroom. In your room you would probably hear him if he was to break the window. But what if he slowly opened it? Again, a simple device would make it detectable. There is also the little independant window and door alarms, but they will be more expensive. And easier to see. If money isn't a concern, double up. He may defeat one method of detection and not see the other. Have a weapon that is easy to use and get to. Depending on the layout, you may need something that could be used easily in tight quarters. If the guns you want are too expensive, go to a pawnshop and look for a reasonable gun for a decent price. Cheap and simple, beats nothing at all most of the time. If you have some decent goods laying around that you don't use, have a garage sale. Old tv's and stuff like that. You don't need them, but you could use the money to help secure a firearm. If you have kids, you may need to look into additional security or move.
 
I know I'll catch hell for this, but I'm going to say it anyway;

Get a Hi-Point pistol.

Now Let me explain why. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a 'compact' 9mm Hi-Point (C9) for $125, and may even find one cheaper. It would be easier to maneuver at indoor ranges, and more difficult for someone to take away from you (or your wife) than a shotgun or rifle would be.

Remember, most SD situations happen at close range, so the spread of a shotgun will not be enough to help your accuracy much, but holding out a longer weapon puts your muzzle closer to the BG and makes it easier for him to grab and control your muzzle. With a pistol you can maintain control of your weapon and continue to fire from a retention position while trying to hold your attacker back with your weak hand.

Also, you will not need to pump the pistol between shots as you would a pump-action boomstick, so you can put more rounds on (or in) your target faster.

Having a lot of personal experience with the C9, I can tell you they are very easy to use. The safety is easy to operate, the slide is heavy and absorbs a substantial amount of the recoil, and the polymer frame will absorb even more. It should be easier for your wife to handle than a shotgun because of the reduction in felt recoil. The heavy slide also helps to control muzzle flip, making follow-up shots faster. The sights are not the best, heck, they're not even very good, but the weapon point-shoots very well which is what you need in SD situations.

Also, mine has never jammed. Not even with the cheapest, dirtiest ammo I could find.

There's also a lifetime no-questions-asked warranty (why do I feel like a salesman), which tells you they don't expect a lot of problems from these guns or the warranty work would put them out of business.

C9.gif

But they sure are ugly.
 
+1 on a cheap, reliable gun like the High Point--a friend has one and it's a perfectly respectable, reliable gun--anyone who says otherwise is a snob.

But also, seriously, if you say you can't get a carry permit due to your meds, what about your wife? While your desire to protect her is understandable and natural, if she has no such restrictions on her rights, 9mm of prevention beats a pound of cure.

God bless and good luck!
 
He already has a .357 magnum revolver, he doesn't need a Hi Point.

I second an inexpensive 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. You can find them in the newspaper or craigslist.org frequently for less than $200. I'm sure you could scrape up a few bucks by selling some stuff if need be - heck we all could.

I love the Mauser, but it's not practical at all for home defense. It's an infantry rifle meant for engaging enemies at distances. It's terrible for home defense. It's big, slow, cumbersome and too powerful.

The .357 and 12 gauge are a fantastic combination and are hard to beat on any budget. Practice with .38 and inexpensive 12 gauge rounds.

If you do a search on THR, you will also learn ways to cheaply defend your castle. For instance, insert eyebolts on each edge of your bedroom and exterior doors, in the studs. Cut lengths of rebar long enough to slide through these eyelets. This will signifantly slow down someone trying to get through the door.

Good luck.
 
I would also recommend she keep it either ON her, or very accessible at all times, especially when you aren't around.

Man, I couldn't imagine that kind of fear, knowing an attack could happen any time and the guy is definitely bent on revenge.

John, look for a used Mossberg or something. I got mine for $160. Maybe someone could work out a deal with you considering your situation.

Despite the trouble I've had with my used HiPoint carbine, a new one shouldn't have those issues and they can be had in 40. IIRC it runs ~$200.

BTW you can't get a CC permit and be on medications?
 
To begin with I would tell your wife and explain - if you are in danger - so is she. You can plan together for how your going to stay safe.

For HD you have a fine gun in the model 19 and she should also know how to use it. The Mauser is not a home defense gun - if you need another firearm besides the model 19 then either another pistol or a shotgun would be a better choice in my opinion. Used pump shotguns can be had for as little as $100 where I live, but prices vary. You don't need a great looking one, just a reliable one. Generaly a Mavrick, or Mossberg 500 are on the lower end of the pricing when used, and are very reliable. Don't pass up a 20ga.

Good Luck and stay safe !
 
How long ago when he went to jail? How old was he? How old is he now? You've received lots of good info and I would take precautions. However, depending on the answers to the above questions, he may not think the same now. Did he say this when he went in or recently? If something were to happen to you, he'd be a prime suspect and may not be interested in going back to prison. He may have said he'll get you because he was a punk and has grown up a bit since then.
 
If the story is true you do not NEED anything other than the 357 your wife is the one in NEED of a gun .

I would look around on the web and see what you can find in perhaps police trade in's on snubby 38's . If that doesn't workout try a milsurplus like a PA63 for under $200 or even a 32 acp Feg in the same price range .

I strongly suggest an inexpensive camera that can be hooked to a vcr/tv so the wife can see who is at the door before opening it to any day or night , and a call box/intercome so she can speak to them without opening the door .
 
I agree with everything that has been said. I would say that:
1. Definitely tell you wife.
2. See if you can get a picture of the guy from a sympathetic LEO.
3. I would be completely honest with the neighbors. That way they will understand the gravity of the situation. They may also be impressed you have helped put away some bad guys.

There are guns you can buy at bargain basement prices that are reliable. I can't speak for the Hi-Point 'cause I've never owned one. I do know there are those who swear by them. I've had good results with my Kel-Tec P11 9mm, which can be had used for around $200. Other people swear by their Bersa Thunders. There is a thread about affordable pistols at:

www.handgunsandammo.proboards36.com

Good luck and God bless.
 
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I second all those that say you should tell your wife.

And as much as I like Mauser 8mms, I'd really hate to use one in a home defense situation.

As NeveraVictimAgain stated, you already have your .357 magnum, and are doubtlessly experienced in its operation. That's the weapon for you. But you need an other weapon for your wife. Until she gets a concealed carry license, there's no real reason to invest in a handgun for her, and inexperience aside, in the end, she needs to be the one to choose a handgun for herself. Take her to the range, let her try out different weapons.


But in the meantime, as a weapon for you and your wife to use in home defense, I think a Hi-Point carbine would work very well. If you've heard bad things about them, it's just prejudice against their low price. They work perfectly well for home defense, are surprisingly accurate (at least the .40 is, which is the one I had a chance to fire) and a 9mm or .40 S&W out of a long barrel is going to be less disorienting when fired indoors than a shotgun, or 8mm mauser.
 
Although LEOs may not be able to help you until he act, a Lawyer may. Get a restraining order, that way if he is casing your place or stalking you or your wife, you can have LEOs take action.

Remember, defense in depth. Don't rely on only one method of defense. Use everything at your disposal, including lawyers.
 
regarding the TX CHL ... you and your wife may as well apply (I don't think temporary pain meds will disqualify you) but bear in mind it will take 3-6 months at least for the license to arrive. However you can legally carry a concealed handgun in your car, in your home, or anywhere in between your home and your car as long as you believe you are in route between your home and car, and you meet the other requirements (you are not in a gang, you are not a felon, etc.). That may preclude you legally carrying it to work or grocery shopping but if I were concerned for my wife's safety like this, I'd be perfectly willing to bend this law pretty far and I'd have her carrying everywhere she went, and just hope that she doesn't end up having to convince a judge that she was between home and car. Even still, as they say, it's easier to get out of jail than to get out of the morgue.

Frankly if I were in your situation, I'd send my wife (& kids in my case) off to stay with friends or family until I was pretty certain that the threat was gone, or until I had high confidence in security measures taken.
 
Unfortunately, this is a consequence of a career in law enforcement. You have to tell your wife, no question. Heed the advice of others: go for a shotgun for HD and make sure your wife has a gun that she's comfortable with. Just because you can't get a CHL right now doesn't mean that she can't.
 
Of COURSE you should tell your wife. She needs to know what is going on, and you need to work TOGETHER on a security plan. I'm hoping SM will pipe in here, as he's good at this sort of thing. Meanwhile, your wife needs her own gun, that she will train with and can shoot well. Don't just assume that the revolver will do. Knives are a BAD idea except when everything else has failed. Your wife would have to be WAY closer to this yahoo than she should get in order to use one. She needs her own gun. Doesn't have to be expensive, a Hi Point is fine if that's what you can afford. If you can scrape together enough, a Bersa might work well for her (nice guns, point naturally, LOTS of folks like them) and you can get it in .380 or 9mm, a bit less recoil...oh, ok, a LOT less recoil...than a .357 mag :p

Don't forget that you can carry in the car without a CHL in Texas, too. Between having a gun at the ready inside your home and having one available in the car, that gives a lot more protection than she currently has.

Beyond that, there's the question of planning. Have code words that you'd use if, say, someone meets you outside with a gun and forces you into your home. If, for example, you call out, "Hi, Zelda, I'm home" but Zelda isn't her name, you've just told her that you have unwanted company with you. You need to decide and practice what she would do if that were the case. Same with her coming in and calling out to you. Practice what you do if someone bashes in the door. Think about what to do if someone rear ends you at night someplace isolated. Safety, as you know, is about software, not hardware....but now it's time for your wife to know what to do and for you to be on the same page.

As for your CHL, your pain meds will not prevent you from getting a CHL. It's not a good idea to be shooting when you're on the meds, but you know, you can't pick and choose when a BG comes in the door. You need to be secure, and part (not all) of that security is being able to defend yourself.

Finally, getting back to your home, harden all your entrances. Make it as difficult as you can for someone to get in unwanted. If you can't afford a security cam at your front and back doors, get motion sensitive lights and make sure they are ALWAYS working. Get a dog, the louder, the better. Do all the other stuff you can do to make your home less a target. That's all good for keeping the garden variety burglar out too :)

Springmom
 
We don't know much about your circumstances, so it's hard to give the right advice. Do you have kids?

What is your wife's attitude to guns: would she be willing to learn how to use one? If the threat is real, she MUST! If she won't, that closes a lot of avenues, and about all you can do is harden the home defenses and make sure she always carries a cell phone on her person with 911 programmed into speed dial.

Do you live in an apartment? If so, that may limit your options for hardening the defenses. Have you considered a dog? the right one is a good alarm system, and if big and aggressive enough, a useful deterrent/defense. You might find what you need at the pound for the price of its shots and neutering.

Realistically, hardening the home only delays entry to a determined aggressor, so you wife MUST have a means of self defense. In the circumstances, there isn't anything practical besides a gun.

You need a safe room to retreat to in case of alarm. It should have a phone and a firearm. If your wife won't carry a weapon around the house (a Hi-Point is clunky and large - but totally reliable - I have owned one), it should become the safe-room gun.

Your wife is very vulnerable when moving between the home and car: - a reason for a pistol rather than a shotgun; she should carry it, and keep it accessible in the car until returning home. Again have it in hand, with a garment draped over it. She must learn to be alert. While shopping, etc, she can carry the OC until she gets a CHL.

While she can take the P9 from the safe room, there is the danger it does not get replaced. For this reason I suggest a second weapon which is NEVER removed from the safe room, as soon as you can afford it. At that point the safe-room gun might be a shotgun, which has much more stopping power than a 9mm pistol.

There are threads on car and parking lot safety.

I hope some of these thoughts are helpful. Good luck.
 
there's a question on the CHL application that asks if you are addicted to or have been treated for dependency on illegal or prescription drugs. if you are on pain killers for a temporary injury, then of course you honestly answer this question "no" and move on. that is unless you are addicted to pain killers!
 
Tell your wife! If she doesn't know she won't be paying adequate attention.

Get your wife onboard with a defensive plan. It doesn't matter how much you spend or what you have, if her mindset isn't there, it's all in vain.

You might be able to find a picture on your local Megan's law sex-offender registry website.

Talk to the neighbors & pass out his picture.

It's a little late now, but get yourself & the wife a CHL & carry your gun. If she's not down with a gun find something she'll be comfortable with & make sure she knows the limitations of what she has gun or otherwise.

As far as getting a new gun I'd try to go with something you can have with you all the time. A handgun isn't perfect but it beats leaving your gun at home.

You guys have to take your situation into account & weigh the consequences of all your potential actions (going $600 in debt on a credit card for a good gun & carry set up vs. getting shot in the face in front of your home, same for the wife vs. her meeting the same fate of this dude's first victim, etc...)

Carry your gun.
 
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