How would you handle this

Kenneth in Texas · Feb 11, 2015

To make the story as short as possible, a moron in a rent house across the RR track that runs on the back of my property was shooting his .22 today, I took several rounds toward me ONE of which his my antique jeep window and shattered it. I called the cops to write a report and go have a "friendly" talk with the punk. His story was he was target practicing by setting cans on top of his fence and he assumed the rounds were hitting the embankment of the RR track. Well they were not, they were coming directly toward my house and vehicles. Whats crazy is there are THICK woods between me and him but 2 rounds managed to penetrate thru them and one hit my jeep.

So far as it stands now, the officer said I could file reckless endangerment charges on him, which I havent yet (still pissed off and need time to think). But at the very least I will demand the cost to replace my window. He either pays up or I will drag him thru small claims court AND file charges on him which was explained to me I can do at any time.

Scares me what really could have happened since the round hit my window about head high.

So tell me, how would any of you handle this situation? I dont want to go to war with him but will if I have to.

Happy Gilmore · Feb 11, 2015

Not sure about TX, but in MA it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 500 ft of a dwelling. You also have to be duly licensed as well. Sounds like a moron for sure, and absolutely negligent. I'm surprised the police officer let him off that easy and gave you the option to file charges. Here the dope would have been charged.

Baby Grand · Feb 11, 2015

That boy sounds a little deficient.
Needs to learn there are responsibilities to gun ownership & consequences for misuse.
Too bad he lives within range of your place.
You are right to take some time, count to ten and consider your options carefully.
Maybe another neighborly chat to explain how he is opening himself up to a loss of his freedom, shooting the way he is.
Maybe suggest a shooting range into a berm (pointed away from you) or similar?

Looking4new · Feb 11, 2015

Happy Gilmore said:
Not sure about TX, but in MA it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 500 ft of a dwelling. You also have to be duly licensed as well. Sounds like a moron for sure, and absolutely negligent. I'm surprised the police officer let him off that easy and gave you the option to file charges. Here the dope would have been charged.

I would lay the charges. Anyone that stupid shouldn't be allowed to breed, let alone own a firearm.

Garandman · Feb 11, 2015

Happy Gilmore said:
Not sure about TX, but in MA it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 500 ft of a dwelling. You also have to be duly licensed as well. Sounds like a moron for sure, and absolutely negligent. I'm surprised the police officer let him off that easy and gave you the option to file charges. Here the dope would have been charged.

That's the People's Republic of MA, other states - most states - allow discretion by their citizens.

Making it a two-way range is frowned upon most everywhere, though....:laughing: Malicious Destruction of an antique vehicle, ditto. This means he missed the cans by, what - three feet?

coobie · Feb 11, 2015

Looking4new said:
I would lay the charges. Anyone that stupid shouldn't be allowed to breed, let alone own a firearm.

100 percent agree with this one.The guy is a IDIOT.

BWSSR · Feb 11, 2015

check the TPW rules...you can hunt/shoot but!..the projectiles can NOT pass over onto another property...reckless endangerment, vandalism, and...he needs an arse whoop'n for shooting at any thing with out verifying what is beyond the target...

Court order to stop, and if you can find who owns the house, call them..they may no like fire arms...

murphy1244 · Feb 11, 2015

Here in Ohio the penalty for a bullet going across a interstate would be more than the act of endangerment. Maybe the same for crossing the rail road track? And where did he get the ammo?

rtimgray · Feb 11, 2015

I would go the route of minimum escalation, if at all possible. Sure, it would be nice to try to punish him and teach him a lesson, but if he hasn't by this point in life, it's likely that it will take up more of your time than you would like and it won't make a difference to him either way.

If it were me, I would discuss with him the option of hiim paying for the replacement of the windshield and a gentelman's agreement that he won't target practice in your direction again. If that's good with him, after I got my money, I would live and let live. Unless there was further gunfire....then I would go the "pressing charges" route.

It could just be a simple, albeit potentially deadly, mistake by a moron. He likely has much less to lose than you do in the event of further confrontations. I always ask myself who has more to gain or lose in situation like this.

I'm glad that no one was harmed. Good luck with whatever course of action you choose to take. Take care.