This event just happened to me and my family.

 

It's 2:40 AM, I'm asleep, my next door neighbor calls, (who just happens to be my sister in-law), and says there is someone on the front porch ringing her door bell.

Her husband is out of town.

GREAT.

I tell her to call the police.

I get up to go see who's standing on the front porch.

Did not get the 870 out yet.

My thought is it is a crazed crack head looking for some $. Lots of robberies in this area.

We live in a rural area and our houses are about 30-40 yards apart.

It's dark and I can't see from my side window who it is.

My spot light and guns are in the cellar.

The phone rings again, she says they are now banging on the door. (should've told her to turn on the light.)

She's very scared.

I'm scared thinking about how to stay out of jail. I tell her that I'm getting my gun out and to remain calm. (Should've told her to get in the room with her kid and lock the door.)

Go to gun safe, (Dial combo model, my preset dialing was off, shoulda got electronic). Had to try 3 times to get safe open. (Will be buying a small electronic combo tactical safe, make that two. one for tactical shotgun in cellar and one for a hand gun in the bedroom). I don't own a hand gun, yet.

I do not turn on any lights. trying to keep element of surprise and my night vision. We have night lights throughout the house. Used flash light to dial combo. (Need red light mounted above dial).

Get the 870 out and load (3) 2-3/4" shells, (3-1/2's hurt my shoulder). Gun on safety.

Go upstairs. Look through windows as best as possible to right and left. Is this a setup to draw me out?

Unlock front door, step out with 870 and spot light, looking to the left in the direction of the person banging on my sister inlaws door.

Shine spot light, (Bright LED type, excellent light), on the person approx 30 yards

Not a very large person.

I call out, "What are you doing !"

Reply's, "I'm looking for Bill". (My brother inlaws name, at least for this post). I realize its a female at this point.

I look behind me during this dialog. Trying to determine if there is someone sneaking up from behind.

I reply, "Identify yourself !"

Whaaatt?

I didn't stutter or whisper the first time. I reply again, "IDENTIFY YOURSELF, WHO ARE YOU !"

She reply's, "I'm Bills girlfriend".

"UUGGHH!" I go in my mind, but I do not let my guard down. I'm still concerned about my flank and I keep checking it.

Cops still have yet to show.

I call out again, "What do you want?"

"I'm looking for Bill."

At this point I'm trying to keep this person where they are unti the cops show up.

I see lights coming down the road so I put the 870 inside the doorway and continue to spot light the girl.

The cop pulls up, gets out, starts to walk towards the front porch with his dinky flashlight, I call out " Do you see her officer?", He reply's "yes".

I move off my porch towards them , (still spot lighting her).

The cop says, "Why are you shining the light on her?"

By this time he is 10 feet from her and I'm about 25 feet away.

I'm thinking, what the fugg kind of comment is this? This guy knows who I am! I want to say "Because it's dark out and your piece of shit light sucks". But I say, "There's a strange person banging on my sisiter in laws front door at 2:40 AM and I want to know who it is." He was talking to me like I was the one doing something wrong!

He begins to ask her what she's doing, she starts to explain. My sister in law opens the door, the girl starts to explain again.

I go home, thinking where's Bill?, I got three rounds to unload.

I take the 870 back to the safe, eject the three shells and put it away.

 

This was a serious, serious, situation that I hope I never have to get into again.

Good for you! Sounds like you did everything right, and everything in bold are good solutions to remember, God forbid you have to. From calling the police, up until you put the 870 back inside to avoid confusing the cop. You succesfully defused what could have been a real bad situation; Very good job.

I think bill is the one in trouble

I think bill is the one in trouble

 

Me too, you should have stayed for the rest of the story it was starting to make sense..

 

Be sure to fill us in..

Good job! Now where's Bill?

 

Just curious, what was your wife doing during all of this? I would have been uncomfortable not being able to protect my family as much while investigating next door, especially without any additional firearms protection when I went to the basement, porch, etc...

 

From what you wrote, it sounds like you remained pretty calm, although you must have been frightened. You certainly received unwarranted practice for what could have been a very bad scenario that you had to deal with.

 

As far as the officer, you were probably blinding the officer somewhat, and or, he was concerned because he didn't know for sure who you were. Not to mention, he was asserting that he was taking charge. But, there is still that "Us" and "Them" mentality that you experienced. All in all, it sounds like you did the right thing. And, you must have been happy and relieved when the officer showed up.

 

Over time you can evaluate many things that you could do differently if another scenario like that occurs again. Your story is getting me thinking about better strategies. I would suggest a handgun for both you and your wife.

With the way jersey laws are, have you had to take some sort of action say it being a robber or a druggy you could have been looking at serious legal/criminal issues. That said, I would have taken similar action, in my eyes doing whats right to save the innocent is worth breaking a law. Hopefully the situation will help you better tune your firearm storing to achieve a faster, less stressful setup, also putting the gun away once you saw the cop had arrived was a very good move.

Good Job! But, consider having a firearm more accessible.

I echo everything that has been said. Good on you. I'm sorry you had to go through this, however probably not as sorry as "Bill" may be when he gets home.

 

C

You got some practice and Bill's wife got to meet Bill's girlfriend. Good job getting the gun away before the cops showed up!

Very good job in aggregate.

 

One small monday-morning-quarterback note, which I add with no disrespect intended. Since you've got the shotgun locked at night, have you given any thought to keeping shells loaded in it? It sounds like the need to get it ready was an additional [and understandable] source of stress. I'm also sort of assuming that you arrived as the approach of loading only 3 shells for time reasons.

 

Again, really good job that shows very good awareness after having been awoken by a stressful unknown situation.

I do not turn on any lights. trying to keep element of surprise and my night vision.

Another trick is to cover ONE eye with a hand, and turn on the lights. When you turn the lights back off, you will still have your night vision. Glad everything worked out well for you, and you were VERY SMART to realize that it may be a trick, and to keep checking your surroundings.

I'd look for a way to keep a gun in your room.

 

And yeah that guy

Is in deep hit

Why was your 870 completely unloaded if it is locked in your safe?

Glad it worked out ok for you man. I'm sure if you had to shoot someone you would be in deep crap. I would of done the same thing thing though.

I had a similar situation a few months back; but didn't have a person to look at, just my neighbor's alarm going off. I did pretty much the same as you except when the cop showed up I pretty much yelled "My name is Keith. I live next door (point to my house). My neighbor called me and asked me to make sure her dog was ok".

 

The only thing I'd recommend is identifying yourself up front to the cops. From the limited training and experience I have that is helpful to them. Great job though!

So about bill....

"I'm looking for Bill."

 

Reminded me of

Why was your 870 completely unloaded if it is locked in your safe?

 

I generally think it is in poor form to keep a gun loaded in a safe... but then again, my safe is for long(er) term storage, I have a smaller lock-box for my HD handgun (which I also keep unloaded) until I take it out.

 

As far as the officer, you were probably blinding the officer somewhat, and or, he was concerned because he didn't know for sure who you were. Not to mention, he was asserting that he was taking charge. But, there is still that "Us" and "Them" mentality that you experienced. All in all, it sounds like you did the right thing. And, you must have been happy and relieved when the officer showed up.

 

 

This has absolutely nothing to do with an us vs them mentality. If I am on scene I want to deal with the immediate threat only. I don't know who this other guy is. If he leaves that takes another variable out of the equation. Also him being there at that moment distracts me fom the main threat therefore compromising my safety. I don't need a million candlepower spotlight on the perp either, just enough to ascertain any threats on the person or in the immediate vicinity. In this situation once the officer arrives go inside and keep an eye on the situation. If the officer needs you he will come and speak to you. If the situation goes real bad get back on the phone with 911 or if the officer needs help at that point you may help if you feel the need to. I commend you for trying to help a neighbor. If more people helped each other the world would be a better place.

 

 

I am really getting sick of the us vs them. It seems that this is the first response to anything associated with cops. It's a matter of safety. Everybody is a threat until the situation is over.

Sheep don't grab a weapon.

 

I generally think it is in poor form to keep a gun loaded in a safe... but then again, my safe is for long(er) term storage, I have a smaller lock-box for my HD handgun (which I also keep unloaded) until I take it out.

 

Adam, and if you are ever forced to open your safe you'll end up with your dick in your hand.

This has absolutely nothing to do with an us vs them mentality. If I am on scene I want to deal with the immediate threat only. I don't know who this other guy is. If he leaves that takes another variable out of the equation. Also him being there at that moment distracts me fom the main threat therefore compromising my safety. I don't need a million candlepower spotlight on the perp either, just enough to ascertain any threats on the person or in the immediate vicinity. In this situation once the officer arrives go inside and keep an eye on the situation. If the officer needs you he will come and speak to you. If the situation goes real bad get back on the phone with 911 or if the officer needs help at that point you may help if you feel the need to. I commend you for trying to help a neighbor. If more people helped each other the world would be a better place.

 

 

I am really getting sick of the us vs them. It seems that this is the first response to anything associated with cops. It's a matter of safety. Everybody is a threat until the situation is over.

 

 

To your comment Joe, LE does have a rough job walking in blind to something and agreed they don't need to further confused.

 

Help out clarifing the situation buy your actions and not posing what could appear as an additional threat.

 

If I have LEO come to my door, and I have for undisclosed reasons, I always hand them ID when they show up, to show them that I belong here.

 

Hands visable on steering wheel, common sense stuff.

Good ending to what could have been a bad ending

Good ending to what could have been a bad ending

 

Depends on who you talk to. Bill's ending isn't going to be so rosy.

Adam, and if you are ever forced to open your safe you'll end up with your dick in your hand.

 

I don't quite understand this... if I'm being held hostage and they make me open my safe? I would think I'm already screwed...

I still feel bad for Bill.

Its very clear she has the wrong house and the wrong Bill...... cut the poor girl a break

 

The cop says, "Why are you shining the light on her?"

By this time he is 10 feet from her and I'm about 25 feet away.

I'm thinking, what the fugg kind of comment is this? This guy knows who I am! I want to say "Because it's dark out and your piece of shit light sucks". But I say, "There's a strange person banging on my sisiter in laws front door at 2:40 AM and I want to know who it is." He was talking to me like I was the one doing something wrong!

He begins to ask her what she's doing, she starts to explain. My sister in law opens the door, the girl starts to explain again.

 

 

For all the officer knows, the girl on the porch may be trying to escape from you!! Tough situation all around. Glad it all worked out, except maybe for Bill.

Glad this turned-out O-K. That is, except for Mr. Bill, lol!

 

Me being me, I would have handled it slightly differently. The net result would be that the Cop approaching the Perp would have already had a description phoned into Dispatch of who was who. Otherwise, nice job!

 

Too bad this is still Jersey! In some parts of the countryside, the Evil Girlfriend would have been met at the door by the Wife with a gun and they'd have tea at 2:40 in the morning, lol!

 

Bill is a turd just waiting to be flushed.......

 

 

I don't quite understand this... if I'm being held hostage and they make me open my safe? I would think I'm already screwed...

 

Adam- Glad you didn't take offense. Just saying Firearms are valuable and people target their theft and having an owner aid in their theft is not unheard of.

 

If, like you said you were already screwed a loaded firearm in the safe may be your way out.