Be aware of your surroundings -

[Stubob]

My neighbor had a home invasion attempt while he was home, however lights on the front of the house were off and the attack happened right at dusk. My dogs were going nuts and I stepped out of the house to see three gentlemen running across my neighbor’s yard. One was holding a bat; another was holding something that looked to be a gun in his hand. The small car they jumped out looked like a street racing car, with a bag over the tag. I shouted “What are you doing in my neighborhood?” They did not stop. I shouted again “What the @#$%#$%#$%#$%$% are you doing in my neighborhood?” The trio then stopped and looked at me. While the trio were looking in my direction, I put my hand on my concealed .45 Springfield Arms 1911 and asked again; “What the #$%$%$$@@ are you doing in my neighborhood?” They finally understood the universal body language of preparing to draw, as it was apparent that language was not working. They ran to their car and slowly drove by in front of my house. I stepped back behind my truck so I could draw and fire from cover should they start firing.
The police were called and they responded within 5 min. My CCW permit was presented to the police and they took down the description and direction of the gang members. The police were very professional, and were grateful for the information. They ran off looking for the gang members.
The learning points: (1) The ultimate goal is not to get into a gun fight; (2) Bad people may not understand English, but they do understand when someone is able to protect themselves; (3) Situational awareness is often forgotten and people need to think about possible situations before they happen and; (4) The police are one of our greatest assets, but they have limitations and can not always be at the scene of a crime.
:twisted:

[Tanzer]

Absolutely!
You can live your life in condition yellow and never raise your stress level.
Once, and thankfully only once in my life, I had to brandish my weapon. It's a long story, but all worked out well & the local sheriff's office (out of state, non-resident permit) said I handled it well (they knew the perp).
Had I not been aware in this situation things could have gotten ugly. Had I been too nervous it could have been worse.
I guess there's something to be said for staring down the train-tunnel of a .45, but I've heard it argued that there's no intimidation factor related to caliber. Hey, maybe that'd make a good thread....

[magnum]

@Stubob

I hope in posting this you realize not everyone is going to agree with your actions and take this as just that, a difference of opinion.

Sitting back after the incident and playing quarterback here I see some things you did that could have landed you in jail or worse dead. For one I have no doubt you had to move towards the men as you were probably not shouting from your front door. Moving in on the men you were being the aggressor as you state they were running away. You stated you put your hand on the gun, I don't think I would have shown my gun until I myself was in danger. Shouting at them could have only brought them back to you and forced you to use deadly force. Remember, the key in self defense is just that, defense not offense.

The other situation is when you ran out concetrating on these guys you could very well have ran into an ambush if there was a third or fourth man hiding behind your truck. I just read an article last night about a cop who was killed as the guy they were after retreated out the back of his house and shot the officer and he came around the side and ambushed him from cover. Shot him in the head.

You mention it was a home invasion. Did they take anything? You mention he was home, did they harm him? Hope everything worked out well.

And again.. We learn from all of our encounters.. thanks for sharing.

[magnum]

Absolutely!
You can live your life in condition yellow and never raise your stress level.
Once, and thankfully only once in my life, I had to brandish my weapon. It's a long story, but all worked out well & the local sheriff's office (out of state, non-resident permit) said I handled it well (they knew the perp).
Had I not been aware in this situation things could have gotten ugly. Had I been too nervous it could have been worse.
I guess there's something to be said for staring down the train-tunnel of a .45, but I've heard it argued that there's no intimidation factor related to caliber. Hey, maybe that'd make a good thread....

OK, just don't drop a teaser and leave us hanging, post the story in another thread so we can all quaterback it as well:)


Also, if you pulled your weapon in self defense I do not consider that brandishing. If you had brandished your firearm you would have gone to jail :)

[MeAgain]

@Stubob

I hope in posting this you realize not everyone is going to agree with your actions and take this as just that, a difference of opinion.

Sitting back after the incident and playing quarterback here I see some things you did that could have landed you in jail or worse dead. For one I have no doubt you had to move towards the men as you were probalby not shouting from your front door. Moving in on the men you were being the aggressor as you state they were running away. You stated you put your hand on the gun, I don't think I would have shown my gun until I myself was in danger. Shouting at them could have only brought them back to you and forced you to use deadly force. Remember, the key in self defense is just that, defense not offense.

The other situation is when you ran out concentrating on these guys you could very well have ran into an ambush if there was a third or fourth man hiding behind your truck. I just read an article last night about a cop who was killed as the guy they were after retreated out the back of the house and shot the officer and he came around the side and ambushed him from cover. Shot him in the head.

You mention it was a home invasion. Did they take anything? You mention he was home, did they harm him? Hope everything worked out well.

And again.. We learn from all of our encounters.. thanks for sharing.

I agree 100%