Right to bear arms, my ass. Can't even protect myself and family.

[Average Joe]

not going to say anything about guns or laws as i'm just glad you or your family didn't get hurt

 

[OrochiEddie]

I'm allowed to walk down my street with a loaded shotgun. Point it at anyone and that's the ball game.

I'm glad you guys feel I was in the right, but it's really been bothering me that this all happened.

The look in that guys eyes is something I'll never forget.

He looked as if the life was snatched right out of him, he knew he fucked with the wrong person.

He thought he was going to die.

I never want to see that look ever again.

After my brother bailed me out, I came home and cried.

I was terrified of what I did.

I'm so grateful I had the self discipline to hold the guy at bay until the police arrived.

Had I not seen a firearm on him, it would have surely ended in a fistfight.

Just hope none of you ever have to deal with this shit.

And it can happen anywhere.

I no longer carry my Glock. I'm almost scared of guns right now.

That's why I refuse to own a gun and am generally anti-gun (The laws exist, I am not a fan of them, but I guess I respect them).

That's neither here nor there.

Seeing that other person with a firearm, acting dangerous, and being a threat to your child I think you did something anyone would do. You acted to protect your family. I guess for that is when I would close the door instead of pulling out a shotgun. Is one more right than the other? No, I just think it is different perspectives.

Is this guy gonna sue you? That'd be my worry for you right now.
How far are you planning to move? If you ever want to look around Indianapolis/Bloomington let me know and I can house you while you search.

The Psychologist in training in me also suggests maybe seeing a therapist for a few sessions to process that feeling. That is some heavy shit to be holding on to.

Take care

 

[Poonman]

What kind of cock sucker antagonizes a guy for pulling his daughter away from a dangerous altercation?
Guns ARE fucked up and scary things, but would the situation diffuse itself if you didn't have a gun and he still did?


I hope the gun to his face proved as much a revelation to him as it did to you, Mike.
I'm really glad nobody got hurt physically or legally.

 

[SouthtownKid]

I hope the gun to his face proved as much a revelation to him as it did to you, Mike.

But what happens when the guy stops being scared? Typically, that kind of person then gets angry to compensate and cover up (especially to himself) his moment of weekness. So then you have to start worrying about this kind of loose cannon, gun-carrying asshole thinking, "I'm gonna get that guy." Typically, that kind of guy doesn't use an experience like this to examine his own life or take any of the blame for the event on himself. No, to him, everything that happened is going to be TonK's fault.

Which is not to say I think TonK should have backed down from the guy. Far from it. But it's something to be watchful for, at least for a couple weeks.

 

[SNKorSWM]

Just glad that nobody got hurt.

Having a gun isn't very effective without having a police badge to go along with it, if you get my drift.

 

[Eric]

 

[TonK]

But what happens when the guy stops being scared? Typically, that kind of person then gets angry to compensate and cover up (especially to himself) his moment of weekness. So then you have to start worrying about this kind of loose cannon, gun-carrying asshole thinking, "I'm gonna get that guy." Typically, that kind of guy doesn't use an experience like this to examine his own life or take any of the blame for the event on himself. No, to him, everything that happened is going to be TonK's fault.

Which is not to say I think TonK should have backed down from the guy. Far from it. But it's something to be watchful for, at least for a couple weeks.

This scenario has been played over by myself and the police department.

They said not to worry and to call them if anything suspicious happens.

I've taken a few steps to make sure my family is safe.

I highly doubt that guy is coming back.

 

[Jon]

I live in Ohio, like Tonk, myself. I'm EXTREMELY surprised that the castle doctrine, which is a law passed by the last govenor, was not brought up to the police. It sounds to me like this is a text book case that should have guaranteed Tonk didn't get charged with anything.

I'm not surprised that the local media decided to make you look like a laughing stock. Print media is slowly becoming more and more obsolete every day. It just makes me wonder if they're positioning themselves for some sort of bail out when the shit hits the fan. That's why they typically take the govt's side, IMO. You just have to look at your local paper to prove it. Stories like this that show clearly WHY citizens need to be armed in the first place. Any stateist law enacted to take away the right to bear arms will only affect law-abiding citizens while the criminals will simply ignore it.

There was a situation that occurred at my parents' house a few years ago where my dad had to keep a couple guys at bay. There was a car just parked in their driveway and some people started getting out. Keep in mind, my parents live about five miles outside of town in a very rural area. The police could probably get there in about 5-6 minutes if they really hauled ass. Anyway, my dad brought out his crappy .22 rifle/shotgun and pointed it at their car until the police arrived. Granted, he didn't point the gun right in their face but, he had every right to do what he did, and the police agreed. The people in the car weren't arrested but, they were issued a tresspassing violation and told to leave.

I'm glad to hear you're OK but, I think you should do more to get those charges exsponged (spelled wrong?) from your record. The fact you were charged with a felony will following you every time you have to fill out a job application. I believe that you were clearly in the right for what you did, AND that the castle doctrine law in Ohio should protect you from having to have been charged with anything.

Jon

PS: My brother said you should have just killed the guy. At least he wouldn't have been able to file any charges that way.

 

[Syn]

Damn TonK...I'm glad you and your family are fine. You did do the right thing and it did work out in the end but I'm sad at all the bullshit that was involved.

 

[Heath]

Tonk why did you go back outside and tell him you had phoned the police? instead of phoning the police and just keeping in the house out the way.

 

[subcons]

Tonk why did you go back outside and tell him you had phoned the police? instead of phoning the police and just keeping in the house out the way.

Pretty much my thought. But I'm also not the confrontational type, so there's that. There was really nothing to be gained by informing him that the police had been called. It was pretty much a given that it would result in the guy acting irrationally given what was already known about him.

 

[Xian Xi]

Good to hear everythings ok Tonk. I'd do the same for my family if need be.

 

[brentsg]

Pretty much my thought. But I'm also not the confrontational type, so there's that. There was really nothing to be gained by informing him that the police had been called. It was pretty much a given that it would result in the guy acting irrationally given what was already known about him.

I think it's easy to point out mistakes, ones that he's probably already beaten himself up over. The difficult thing is to act perfectly rationally and make all the correct decisions yourself when you are in this spot and you feel that your family is threatened. Unless this is a routine thing, or you have planned out your response, it's difficult to know you you would react to these kinds of things. Adrenaline starts pumping and the fight reaction kicks in. This is the natural response for a lot of people.

I've had 2 incidents that were similar, though less confrontational. One was that my wife had a stalker (long story), and two was that I caught someone trying to break into my home. Nothing ever came of the first, at least not directly. He managed to be a threat and disruption without ever getting in my face. I hate to think what I would have done if he'd have shown up at our house. I was jumpy anytime a car would park on my street, for about 2 months. The second incident had me chasing off a criminal with a 9mm in hand.

 

[subcons]

I think it's easy to point out mistakes, ones that he's probably already beaten himself up over. The difficult thing is to act perfectly rationally and make all the correct decisions yourself when you are in this spot and you feel that your family is threatened. Unless this is a routine thing, or you have planned out your response, it's difficult to know you you would react to these kinds of things. Adrenaline starts pumping and the fight reaction kicks in. This is the natural response for a lot of people.

I've had 2 incidents that were similar, though less confrontational. One was that my wife had a stalker (long story), and two was that I caught someone trying to break into my home. Nothing ever came of the first, at least not directly. He managed to be a threat and disruption without ever getting in my face. I hate to think what I would have done if he'd have shown up at our house. I was jumpy anytime a car would park on my street, for about 2 months. The second incident had me chasing off a criminal with a 9mm in hand.

Understand, I don't disagree. People make bad judgment calls in the heat of the moment all the time. All you can do is try and learn from them.

Didn't mean to just try and point out mistakes made by that post. Wasn't my intention, so sorry about that.

 

[brentsg]

Understand, I don't disagree. People make bad judgment calls in the heat of the moment all the time. All you can do is try and learn from them.

Didn't mean to just try and point out mistakes made by that post. Wasn't my intention, so sorry about that.

I didn't really interpret your post as calling TonK out, and even if so he's a big boy.

It was more that I'd had a couple of these incidents that really had me kicked into high gear, so reading TonK's post made me think about that a bit. It's amazing how a threatening situation can turn an ordinarily calm/rational person into something else, and it only takes a split second. When someone tried to break in, headed down to the basement in the middle of the night, glance over to see someone staring in at me through a sliding glass door. Scary shit.. Later found out who that was, and that they died of a heroin overdose.

Edit: I'm not suggesting that TonK is an ordinarily calm/rational person.

 

[Poonman]

Tonk why did you go back outside and tell him you had phoned the police? instead of phoning the police and just keeping in the house out the way.

He then told them to fuck off and not to worry, they'd be dead soon anyway.

Maybe to stop that from happening or reassure the victims that help is on the way.

 

[subcons]

Maybe to stop that from happening or reassure the victims that help is on the way.

The "they'd be dead soon anyway" part seemed like a comment on their old age, not a direct threat to their lives. But that's just how I interpreted it.

Calling the police was definitely the right thing to do. Putting the shotgun next to the door before going out to tell the guy they were coming and further provoking him was a bad judgement call, especially knowing he had a pistol on him. Just made for a bad situation.

 

[Heath]

Maybe to stop that from happening or reassure the victims that help is on the way.

What i was trying to say did anything else happen to the neighbours for Tonk to go back out and tell him he had phoned the police. Any violence rather than just verbal abuse?

 

[Poonman]

Yeah you guys are right. The "dead anyway" comment was misinterpreted.

Even if he WAS going to kill them, they are still old and at the end of their lives and Mia needs her dad...sometimes doing the wrong this is more necessary than doing the right thing.

 

[sven666]

heavy story man, im glad guns arent a factor round my part of the world..

i gotta say i think its kinda strange you felt enough for the guy not to give him to the cops?
if somebody came at me and my family like that i would get immense satisfaction processing him in the system.

there is no bro-code or whatever with people like that, your junkie neighbours pusher (?), cmon man..

 

[TonK]

I came back out to protect my neighbors.

The guy was making threats towards my neighbors and gestures and comments to my wife.

Its too long of a story to include every single detail, but I know I made a mistake.

Heath and subcons should re-read brentsg's post - until you've been in a situation like this, its very hard to pass judgement and question one's actions to protect their family.

 

[Kiel]

Heard about this from Jon, gotta say I respect what you did.

There are a lot of ifs, ands, and buts to this but at the end of the day I think trying to protect your neighbors and family is an honorable thing to do.

 

[Hot Chocolate]

I hope no jail time or fines are involved for you.

I agree, dude crossed the line and you were protecting your family

Fuck that guy in the ear with a rusty screwdriver

 

[aria]

I live in Ohio, like Tonk, myself. I'm EXTREMELY surprised that the castle doctrine, which is a law passed by the last govenor, was not brought up to the police. It sounds to me like this is a text book case that should have guaranteed Tonk didn't get charged with anything.

I'm not surprised that the local media decided to make you look like a laughing stock. Print media is slowly becoming more and more obsolete every day. It just makes me wonder if they're positioning themselves for some sort of bail out when the shit hits the fan. That's why they typically take the govt's side, IMO. You just have to look at your local paper to prove it. Stories like this that show clearly WHY citizens need to be armed in the first place. Any stateist law enacted to take away the right to bear arms will only affect law-abiding citizens while the criminals will simply ignore it.

There was a situation that occurred at my parents' house a few years ago where my dad had to keep a couple guys at bay. There was a car just parked in their driveway and some people started getting out. Keep in mind, my parents live about five miles outside of town in a very rural area. The police could probably get there in about 5-6 minutes if they really hauled ass. Anyway, my dad brought out his crappy .22 rifle/shotgun and pointed it at their car until the police arrived. Granted, he didn't point the gun right in their face but, he had every right to do what he did, and the police agreed. The people in the car weren't arrested but, they were issued a tresspassing violation and told to leave.

I'm glad to hear you're OK but, I think you should do more to get those charges exsponged (spelled wrong?) from your record. The fact you were charged with a felony will following you every time you have to fill out a job application. I believe that you were clearly in the right for what you did, AND that the castle doctrine law in Ohio should protect you from having to have been charged with anything.

Jon

PS: My brother said you should have just killed the guy. At least he wouldn't have been able to file any charges that way.

I don't know your state's castle doctrine off hand (some draw the line at property, others at the actual structure), but there could be several general issues here:

The problem is TonK pulled a gun on a guy who didn't pull a gun (or knife or other weapon). Yes, the other guy had a gun on him but his decision on the whole not "snitching" thing (which I personally think is childish thug nonsense in any situation) made it so that --to the police-- TonK had a man approach his house, presumably unarmed or not threatening serious injury or deadly force, with words and he pulled out a loaded shotgun and then pointed it at him. That's never going to work well: without the other guy's gun factoring in, you have a man yelling at your and coming over and you point a shotgun at him--it just set him up to run afoul of the whole personal responsibility thing expected for people who possess guns (that you're not going to point it at someone you're having an argument with). Now if TonK had just held the gun to himself or placed it visibly next to him (intimidation), that might be different --I honestly don't know Ohio law-- but it would've been better than immediately aiming a gun at someone. You've escalated things too quickly and when we allow people to possess killing machines we want them to show the utmost restraint because they are so easily able to kill someone. I know: people get heated and in this situation I don't know what I would've done in the same situation, but in terms of legal policy, we want people who have guns to show restraint for that reason.

That's not my opinion of whether or not what TonK did was right, but those were all the red flags that popped in my head when I read his story after the fact. I think he could defend himself, but he would've definitely needed to bring up the other guy's gun.

 

[Marek]

"snitching" thing (which I personally think is childish thug nonsense in any situation)

Consider this Bobak.

Refusal to "snitch" is often an honorable thing. I've refused to snitch on a big issue, and my life was hell for a solid year because of it. Thankfully it worked out, but I almost went to prison. Had I snitched on a good friend I wouldn't be able to live with myself right now.

An example of honorable refusal to snitch : You fail to dispose of the 20 sack of weed you just bought (i.e. eat it) when you get pulled over driving home, and you get busted for it. You do not snitch on the dude who sold you the 20 sack. You take the consequences on the chin, because it was your responsibility to protect yourself. That is honorable.

HOWEVER, in Tonks case there is no reason to even talk about "not snitching." Some dumb fucking thug with a gun is raising hell in your neighborhood threatening you and your family? You let the cops know he had a pistol in his waistband. No brainer, for me anyway.

Either Tonk is just odd, or hes not being honest about the gun. I figure he's just got an odd thing about being a 'snitch'. Idk. Its a super weird mindset to cling to, given the circumstances.