I might have been to harsh on a local kid..

[GregGry]

Well earlier today, I was working on my lawn, and unknown to me, a kid from a couple houses down was walking up behind me. I was putting some garbage into my garbage can, when I felt something poke me in the back. I turned right around, and half way in my rotation I heard a somewhat loud bang noise. I had no clue as to what was going on, I thought for a second that someone shot a firework at me. As I finished my rotation, it turned out it was the kid from a couple houses down. As I noticed he had a cap gun, he said "your dead" and laughed.

At that point I thought it was no laughing matter, and I practically ripped the cap gun from his hand. I pretty much yelled at him with a few obscenities, telling him that he better not do that, because he could get killed. I told him if he wants his gun back, to send his parents to my house, and I will give it
to them. Well he ran off, and I noticed that he had friends hiding in the bushes not to far away, all with cap guns. I feel I might have over reacted to the situation, but when I think about it, I probably did him a favor. Since his parents obviously didn't tell him that he shouldn't point that thing at people, especially people he doesn't know, I probably taught him that.. I only know the kids first name, I am pretty much a stranger to him. Its a good thing he did that to me, and not some person who might have been packing....

I think his buddies might have pushed him to do it, I know it takes balls to do something like that to a guy that is huge like me. Also, I noticed about an hour after the incident, his friends were shooting their cap guns at passing cars and people, while saying stuff like "your dead" "i just shot that guy, I win" and all sorts of other stuff. All of them were around 7 to 10 years old. I remember when I was that young I had a cap gun, but I read the instructions that came with it, and since it said don't point it at people I didn't. I guess thoes kids might not be able to read or something . Anyways sorry for the rant, I hope I did the right thing. -Greg

EDIT: Parents have yet to show up for the cap gun..... I figure he wont tell them, he is probably terrified of me now

 

[Dionysusigma]

Parents have yet to show up for the cap gun..... I figure he wont tell them, he is probably terrified of me now

Probably.

Peer pressure is a tough thing to get over, especially when you're 10. No comment on some (many) of the things I got talked into doing. "Hey--bet you can't hit that hornet's nest with a bottle rocket..." "Oh yeah? I bet I can hit it with three!" Pain and a long run inside ensues. :banghead:

Yelling at him and forcibly taking away the toy, in my opinion, isn't what I think I'd do. I might've asked to see it, and then not given it back, followed by an explanation of why. 'Course, this has never happened to me, so I don't know for sure.

I wonder how a S&W 317 loaded with blanks compares to a cap gun. 'Specially if you blocked off the barrel and painted the tip orange... that might teach the lesson (probably not legally, tho).

 

[Standing Wolf]

I hope I did the right thing.

On the whole, yes, I'd say you did. Obscenities probably weren't called for, although they may well have emphasized your anger. You gave the kid a sorely needed lesson in not pointing guns at people. That used to be considered important, and still should be.

 

[CentralTexas]

Removing his head and placing it on a stick

in your front yard would be harsh. Actually it would probably prevent any other problems ever....

CT

 

[GregGry]

Thanks for the replies.. I do feel bad about the language I used, I didn't mean to. They just came out, I couldn't think of any better words to use. It didn't hit me that he was a kid, since I am used to being around other adults.

Hey--bet you can't hit that hornet's nest with a bottle rocket..."

Yeah same thing here, except I used a NERF bow and arrow... Only one sting, not the smartest thing I ever did. I was right underneath it, shooting up ...

 

[rhubarb]

I can't fault your actions. The undisciplined untrained child was wrong and is being punished. Don't know if I would go as far in today's litigious society, but I know my old man would have dragged him by the ear to his parents' doorstep and demanded that they whip his backside.

On responding to unruly children (via Drudge):
http://www.wftv.com/news/4729041/detail.html

A 12-year-old boy who was firing bottle rockets at cars was chased into traffic Friday by an angry driver and killed by another car, authorities said.

The driver and his passenger, both 22, were arrested for investigation of manslaughter, the Washington State Patrol said.

 

[Ghost Walker]

It's just a thought, but, you might want to return that cap pistol to his parents with a brief explanation. (Better that they hear about it from you than the other way around!)

 

[hso]

You reacted out of fear and anger so I think that it's understandable that a little loss of control could occur.

I think that you should take the gun to the parents and have a talk with them about what happened. In "the old days" kids playing with cap guns wouldn't have been considered incipient suicidal behavior, but in "the old days" a kid would never have snuck up to contact on an adult they didn't know and do what this misguided youngster did. Sorting out safe play from unsafe play is what's needed now.

 

[dolanp]

I agree that you should talk to the parents. Let them know what he did and that you don't think he should be doing that kind of thing because it's dangerous and irresponsible. Just be polite about it.

The kid may not tell them what happened but if he does remember that kids will lie to their parents when they want to avoid trouble. He could make you out to be the terrible bad guy.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Tell me how are kids suppose to play Cowboys or Cops and robbers or army and have the shoot outs and every thing and not point guns at each other Their cap guns This is going a little far. Real guns yes teach them thr rules Cap guns let them play. I grew up and many other guys playing with our cap pistols and we didn't turn in killers.or for get the safety rules with a real gun If you jump my kid like that we would be having a talk.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I agree with Michael T. The whole point is they are a toy. I understand firearm safety, but they aren't firearms. The kids probably dared him to do it, and he did. I think most people would have played along with it, at least that's what I woulda done. Then, possibly explain to him that he is lucky that I am a cool guy, but I wouldn't recommend doing that to other people. I think most people seeing 10 year old kids with guns automatically would assume they are cap guns, but who knows in this society. I know I would think they were bb guns, and be pissed these kids were aiming them at my car, but I love my car almost as much as I love my girlfriend, so you better believe I am paranoid.

 

[GregGry]

I agree that you should talk to the parents. Let them know what he did and that you don't think he should be doing that kind of thing because it's dangerous and irresponsible. Just be polite about it.

Yeah you are right, I will go over there tomorrow moring. I hope that the kid hasn't spead to much bad information about me, hopefully the parents will listen.

Tell me how are kids suppose to play Cowboys or Cops and robbers or army and have the shoot outs and every thing and not point guns at each other Their cap guns This is going a little far. Real guns yes teach them thr rules Cap guns let them play. I grew up and many other guys playing with our cap pistols and we didn't turn in killers.or for get the safety rules with a real gun If you jump my kid like that we would be having a talk

I understand its hard to play "cops and robbers" without shooting at each other, thats not my issue. The kids were pointing and shooting their cap guns at people walking down the street, at cars, and the language they were using made it seem like they were playing "kill the bystanders". I really didn't have to big of an issue with that, they are kids. Also as far as me jumping your kid, if you had read what I said, the kid stuck the cap gun to my back, pulled the trigger, said I was dead and laughed. I don't think he knew exactly what he was doing, but its not like I went to him, took his cap gun for no reason. I will be going to his house tomorrow, and giving his gun back to his parents, and let them decide on what to do with it. I have no problem with him having it, but he has got to be smart about things.

I agree with Michael T. The whole point is they are a toy. I understand firearm safety, but they aren't firearms. The kids probably dared him to do it, and he did. I think most people would have played along with it, at least that's what I woulda done. Then, possibly explain to him that he is lucky that I am a cool guy, but I wouldn't recommend doing that to other people. I think most people seeing 10 year old kids with guns automatically would assume they are cap guns, but who knows in this society. I know I would think they were bb guns, and be pissed these kids were aiming them at my car, but I love my car almost as much as I love my girlfriend, so you better believe I am paranoid.

If I had known what he was going to do, and that he was behind me, I would have played along with it. I don't know about you, but I am not used to having things shoved onto my back, and a loud popping noise that goes with it. I didn't think it was a gun, my first reaction was that it was fireworks that the kids in the area play with all the time.

 

[garyk/nm]

And Thus Are Legends Born.
You reacted in the moment, and I can't fault you for that, but you may have started something you will come to wish you hadn't.
Might as well start practicing now; repeat after me: Hey, you kids, get off of my lawn!

 

[MikeIsaj]

So a young boy did something stupid and dangerous and you went a little overboard in disciplining him. I am sure you taught him to be afraid of you and not much else. Imagine a 7 year old that thinks he's playing and suddenly being confronted by a large, angry, screaming, cursing man who takes his cap gun. I bet he doesn't remember anything you said aout gun safety.

Now you have an opportunity to teach him another lesson. Go to his house and with his parents, give him the cap gun and explain yourself rationally. Then say you are sorry for the bad example YOU set by your reaction. When I was six, an adult taught me that you were never too old to admit a mistake and apologise, no matter how young the offended is. He will learn how men act when they have behaved badly.

You can't predict or control how he or his parents will react. All you can control is what you do with the situation.

 

[iiibdsiil]

GregGry, I wasn't trying to say you did anything wrong. We all act differently spur of the moment, and I'm not saying I would be any better. I was more replying to the cap gun situation in general, and not your specific event. I'm sorry if that came out any other way.

 

[hillbilly]

Context is everything.

Had the little so-and-so done this in my yard, he'd be dead right now, because my yard is so far removed from any other yard that anyone who shows up in it with a gun (or anything that looks like a gun) is either invited there, or looking for serious trouble.

Let us know how it turns out when you take the cap pistol back later.

hillbilly

 

[Farnham]

Shoulda shot him...

I absolutely hate kids, but I guarantee I'm not going to go off on a kid for playing with a cap gun with his buddies. Let the "kid" be over the age of 12, and he's gettin something broke (if he's lucky, it'll be his cap gun), but a little kid might be better handled with an explanation of WHY Mr. Farnham finds loud noises and unexpected contact untenable, and a little lecture on safe firearms handling.

So, yes, you were harsh. Hope you don't get sued.

S/F

Farnham

 

[grampster]

I skipped over most of the posts after a couple after yours. So, my remarks might be tempered by that.

Don't call the parents. Go see the kid. He is, after all, a 7-10 year old kid. He lives in a fantasy world and he stumbled onto a goblin; you. He can't be expected to deal with reality much. Give him a break. This is a time for teaching, not fear. Fear of you, fear of dad and mom, fear of his friends, fear of mockery of his friends..I could go on.

Find the kid, give him back his cap gun and buy him some bubble gum and talk to him like you would like someone to talk to you if you were a kid and an adventure went south. Teach him about firearms and scaring people and doing stupid things and how they may come back to haunt you. I guarantee, he will never forget you and the lesson. What more can a man ask that to have a positive influence on a child.

 

[chris in va]

Bravo. Definitely what I would've done. Annoying twits. If I had done something like that when I was a kid, my bike/skates/toys/priveleges would've evaporated.

Walk over and tell his father what he did to you. Stuff like that needs to be 'nipped in the bud' as my mother always said.

 

[Radagast]

I'd say you overreacted a bit. Go see his folks, give him back his toy and explain to him that it's not OK to trespass. Basically you've just made his world unsafe.

See if you can get his dad to take him to the range with you and let him shoot a couple of full pop cans with a .22. He'd quickly realise that a) you aren't an Orc, b) why you were upset and c) what real guns can do. Firearms safety has to be taught to a willing audience. Fear doesn't help anyone learn.

Ken

 

[mattw]

If it were me I would go apologize to the kid and his parents and explain why I acted the way that I did and let the kid know that you don't mind him playing around your yard, just let you know whats going on first.

+1 for taking the kid shooting! he'll probably become your best friend!

 

[Ryder]

I've explained good gun handling to kids along with why they need to practice it even with toys several times in the past. I have received nothing but acceptance of this message from kids. They flock around me often these days. I enjoy answering their questions. The subject of guns does not come up without reason though and I'd have appreciated the opportunity you were presented (ten was too old for a cap gun in my day).

We used to make light weight wooden swords and run around playing swashbuckler when I was a kid. Nobody ever hit anyone else even though it probably wouldn't have hurt unless you took it in the eye. We had enough sense at the age of 7 to know that toys have limitations. Were kids back then smarter than some adults these days? Do not teach kids there are excuses for bad behavior.

Some super old lady next door hated children when I was growing up. She would insanely yell (some foreign language) at us whenever we were playing in our own yard and try to throw water on us. Always watching out her window. It was dumb, she couldn't even reach us with a garden hose. Our beach ball flew over the fence one day She did what was natural to her. She came flying out of the house and jumped on it thinking it would pop. It didn't. Man, that had to hurt!

 

[AlaskaErik]

I'd have to question why your situational awareness was so lacking that someone could come up to you and touch you without you having a clue. When I mow I still like to be aware of my surroundings, especially since I wear hearing protection. I think I'd have been madder at myself.

 

[svtruth]

Conversion

Agree w Radagast.
Kid's ignorance of appropriate gun behavior indicates family has no guns. Taking them to the range is a way of turnig anti/neutrals to pros.
Good Luck

 

[NineseveN]

In some lawns, namely mine, that kid had a good chance of ending up dead. 10-year old kids do kill people these days. And what if that was his dad's gun he found in the closet and was being dared to 'scare that guy over there' with it. I might feel bad for shooting him, but not that bad.

We do not live in a world where you can play cops and robbers by ambushing strangers anymore. The sooner some of you realize this, the better. This sounds harsh, but better him than me. Darwin has a funny way of working things out like that. If the kid was lucky enough for me to see it was indeed a cap gun, I would have done something similar to the OP, and marched right down to the parents house and gave them an earful.

Pointing cap guns at your friends is fine if they're playing with you, strangers should be off-limits. How many cops have shot kids with toy guns? Exactly.