Wifey had close call !!

Western · Apr 3, 2012

scesnick said:
Yes, I talked to her about her decison to go outside to meet this creep. She sid she wanted the kids away and at a safe distance. I sure can't fault her for that.

She also said she didn't get any closer than 30ft. and had it in her mind that if he decided to make a run at her she would of had a better chance of gettting a few rounds into him outside the house. My wife is no girlie girl when it comes to things like this... she is more than capable.

She also said she wasn't so much scared as she was concerned that this guy thought no one was home and was gonna clean out the garage.

But she didn't know any of this until she stepped outside and made contact with him. He very well could have simply been lost and needed some help finding his way. this has happened before.

We do have a Mossberg 835 tactical shotgun in the bedroom in case it ever gets real hairy inside the house. She can light you up with that pretty good also if need be.

I prefer the shotgun and my wife has 3 available, they sure can make a great "1st impression"

I understand your wifes logic and have not doubt she will play it over in her mind. The more you think about a situation, the better , or "on drill" you execute it when the time arrives. Good thing is she kept her cool and focus, thats the plus to me, since 30' is not all that much when under assault.

TripleR · Apr 3, 2012

Nothing more than an observation, but if you have never had to use deadly force, it is really hard to tell how you will react. Over the years I have known Law Enforcement Officers with a lot of experience freeze up, react too slowly or in the wrong manner.

In one incident, a friend of mine accompanied a woman to her home to retrieve her belongings. He took a back up Officer with him. When he knocked on the door, the husband jumped on him and they both went off the porch. The husband popped the stitches on his holster, this was in the days on no security holsters, and got the Officer's M&P. My friend was fighting for his life while the backup Officer didn't draw his weapon or intervene and ran around in circles yelling.

After a lengthy struggle the husband was able to turn the weapon into the Officer's stomach and began to pull the trigger. The Officer was holding onto the cylinder trying to keep it from turning, but he was running out of strength and his hands were sweaty. At the last millisecond the Officer slid the web of his hand between the hammer and frame so when the hammer fell, the firing pin was blocked.

He was finally able to subdue the husband with absolutely no help from his back up.

It is "usually" best to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation no matter how competent you are or think you are.

I have always told family members to go to a safe location if possible and call 911. The problem arises in determining what is and isn't a threat and not becoming complacent.

And no, I don't always follow my own advice.

scesnick · Apr 3, 2012

TripleR said:
And no, I don't always follow my own advice.

LOL !! same here.

Wnc3 · Apr 3, 2012

Oops......

Wnc3 · Apr 3, 2012

A gate or drop chain across the drive will deter 95% of all unwanted traffic.
Intruders are always looking for a way in and out...a secured drive has subliminal effect of "I may get caught".

newbury · Apr 3, 2012

Interesting thread, as I am moving to a rural area I have to agree with the need for self defense. However I am ABSOLUTELY AMAZED that not one poster has asked -

Does she have an unmarried sister?

Sounds like a great woman.

greasemonkeyok · Apr 3, 2012

TripleR makes a very good point. You don't know how you will react unless you have been there, and even then your reaction may vary from time to time.

Western · Apr 3, 2012

Been in 2 OIS and I'm still here. I think it has allot to do with what I mentioned before, mental rehearsal (practice) , I always assumed the worst and hope for the best. Being mentally prepared is key to acting instinctively within the perimeters you have to. When Shi% hits the fan isn't the time to formulate a strategy. JMHO

TripleR · Apr 4, 2012

Western said:
Been in 2 OIS and I'm still here. I think it has allot to do with what I mentioned before, mental rehearsal (practice) , I always assumed the worst and hope for the best. Being mentally prepared is key to acting instinctively within the perimeters you have to. When Shi% hits the fan isn't the time to formulate a strategy. JMHO

Good point, but you went through a screening process and the academy and probably yearly FATS and recertification once or twice a year and became accustomed to living in condition yellow and above. Most people either prepare by firing a few rounds occasionally with no stress or structure; maybe go through an eight hour CCW course and that's it.

Even with that I know a lot of LEO's who still did not react properly, so one can only imagine how the average person will react.

When my youngest son got out of the Army, he was a Police Officer for a few years and an ERT Officer for a short period of time before changing careers and trained ERT Units as well as groups of Law Enforcement, Military and civilians as a second job.

He used a live fire "kill house" and tactics where rounds passed by people and even in a controlled, closely supervised training exercise, some could not do well.

My only point is that I don't care how well a person is trained, they don't know how they will handle any given situation and I believe even that can change with time.

I am all for training etc., but for most of us, avoiding an armed confrontation is far superior to surviving one.

JMHO

scoutcub · Apr 4, 2012

greasemonkeyok said:
1st danger sign: van.
2nd danger sign: pulled up & didn't get out.
3rd danger sign: "looking for neighbor".

Based on experience, questions to ask:

Who are you looking for? (What is his name? If he doesn't know, really bad sign.)

What is your name? If he hesitates - really bad sign. But, some of these folks have aliases they use. So, you have to ask it again in a few minutes, then say "thats not the name you gave me a while ago" whether it is or isn't.

I'm uncomfortable with your answers, show me your driver's license. This question/command is usually one that these folks associate with law enforcement. When you ask it, they have a dilemma, comply or run. Last guy I asked to see his drivers license started backing up and then quickly jumped in his vehicle and sped off.:laughing:

Would not do this under any circumstances. As others have said, distance is your friend. This would allow dangerously close proximity to a likely criminal.

This has been a great discussion. I work away from home for extended periods f time, before I left last time I discussed the location of weapons in the home with the wife, and her actions in the event of a home incursion. Neither of us have shot in quite some time, I think that will be high on the list when I return home tomorrow.....:thumbsup: