[Guest]

In early June 2002 on the night of high school graduation my 14 year old son and I were up the canyon behind the B in Bountiful shooting metal targets.

My son was in the back of my truck retrieving his shotgun while I was standing by the passenger side with front door open. I was in the process of reloading magazines for a Beretta 9MM.

A old beat up car pulled down the dirt road and 4 young men in their early to mid twenties got out with one of them standing at each corner of my truck about 15 to 20 feet back. These men did not look like nice people. We were in essence surrounded by some very upleasant looking fellows.

The leader sarcastically stated that they were looking for something to shoot. All four of them grinned and laughed as he made the comment. With as mean a voice as I could muster I stated that they could shoot anything they wanted except people while at the same time I raised my now fully loaded Beretta high enough that the leader could see it. The expression on his faced changed as he nodded to the other three that it was time leave. They reversed their steps, re-entered the car and drove away.

While no shots were fired and I never actually pointed my firearm at them I am convinced that by displaying my firearm I saved my son and I from something very unpleasant. CNN won't run a story on it and AntiGunners would think I am terrible but I believe I averted danger that evening.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

That worked out very well. I'm glad that you and your son are safe. That's just the type of self-defense incident that doesn't make it into the anti-gunners statistics.

One question. Did you call the police and report it? The reason I ask is because in such a situation, I've read that you can possibly avoid a charge of brandishing if you file a report before they do.

I read of a case in New York state where a man who was driving along was being harassed by another driver. At a stop light, the other driver got out and advanced aggressively towards the car. The driver quietly brought his pistol into view, whereupon the aggressor turned tail and ran. The man immediately went to the police station and filed a detailed report of exactly what happened.

The next day, police officers came to his house to question him about brandishing his firearm in public. He told them about the complaint he had filed. When they reviewed his complaint, the investigation against him by the police was dropped. The police told him that his report saved his bacon.

 

[Cinhil]

I am happy to see that things went well for you & your son.
I have had a couple of occaisions when displaying a weapon, or the threat of use along with proper posture keept myself & a family member from trouble.
1st: A mentaly disturbed & violently gesticulating man came running towards my brthers car threatening violence. We had just entered my brothers vehicle when this occured. Feeling that this person may be serious in his posturing, my brother pulled his gun out, cocked it, and set it very visibly on the inside of his dash. The person immediaqtely saw this & backpeddaled with acute apologies for his poor judgement.
2nd: While walking on a beautiful saturday morning in Oct. of 2003, I was almost hit by a car. This had been deliberate & by someone I didn't know. When I said he should be more observant he immediately began to verbally abuse & threaten me. I thought for a moment that I should probably put my hand on my gun & let him know it was time for him to leave. But then I thought better & turned to leave. I thought that was the end of it. I was about 20 feet away from the situation when I heard a sound behind me & close. As I began to turn to see what it was, this individual clipped me causing me to fall to the sidewalk. I received several lacerations, and my back ( which is bad to start with) was twinging. I immediately rolled to my side & from a position of lying down, was able to place my hand on my gun & verbally let my assailant know that any further attempts to harm me wouold be met with force. As I did this, this coward was already back at his car. It appeared that his hand was in the process of grabbing something from the side compartment of his door. I truly thought he was going for a weapon. I did not physically draw my weapon, but my threat, along with the proper posture for having a gun at hand, seemed to be sufficient for him to get the idea & he left.
I reported this to the sheriffs office & they said I did the right thing. But they never did catch him even with all the info I was able to provide them.
I would like to add that if you feel that you ought to put your hand to weapon--Never ignore that feeling. Had I done so at the first thought of danger, I may not have been assulted. Be Safe!!!

 

[Guest]

great job they definatly stated there purpus of intent and you did what any father would or should of done great job we need less victoms and more brave harts
you to cin great call im sick of all these cowards that think they can prey on the week or woman either Im proud we can stand up for ourselves or others
in Tx you have the right to defend yourself or others even if it warrents dealing in lead 8)

 

[JP]

"...One question. Did you call the police and report it? The reason I ask is because in such a situation, I've read that you can possibly avoid a charge of brandishing if you file a report before they do..."

Jeff J and others: are there any LEO's or lawyers on this site that can confirm or deny this? Your account refers to New York. I've read through many posts here, but haven't seen anything to confirm that this is applicable to Utah. Perhaps those of you who have been longtime members of this site could direct me to another thread where this is discussed?

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Johnson]

I don't know of any Utah examples of this.

However, it seems very logical to me that you improve your legal standing by reporting any incident first.

 

[TMG]

"...One question. Did you call the police and report it? The reason I ask is because in such a situation, I've read that you can possibly avoid a charge of brandishing if you file a report before they do..."

Jeff J and others: are there any LEO's or lawyers on this site that can confirm or deny this? ...

Jeff said - "However, it seems very logical to me that you improve your legal standing by reporting any incident first."

+1
There are NO laws in place, and there are no documented cases where, if you call First, you cant/wont be charged. However, as Jeff said there is some logic to being the first to call. As an LEO, you are 'supposed to' look at all the 'facts' no matter who called first. However, when looking at the evidence, most LEO's will add some sort of 'credibility' to the person who calls first. After all, LEO's, like the average person, will Wonder why the 'innocent' person didn't call first.
jm2c
E

 

[GeneticsDave]

:agree: Be the first one to call.

 

[MasLakas]

My CCW instructor is a former LEO and he said if you ever draw your weapon for any reason, call 911 as soon as you safely can and tell them what happened and fill out a report. He said even 'IF' the bad guy calls 911 claiming there is a nut with a gun threatening them and they have your side of the story as a permit holder, you would be cleared because your percieved as the more honest individual.

 

[RobFindlay]

That worked out very well. I'm glad that you and your son are safe. That's just the type of self-defense incident that doesn't make it into the anti-gunners statistics.

One question. Did you call the police and report it? The reason I ask is because in such a situation, I've read that you can possibly avoid a charge of brandishing if you file a report before they do.

I read of a case in New York state where a man who was driving along was being harassed by another driver. At a stop light, the other driver got out and advanced aggressively towards the car. The driver quietly brought his pistol into view, whereupon the aggressor turned tail and ran. The man immediately went to the police station and filed a detailed report of exactly what happened.

The next day, police officers came to his house to question him about brandishing his firearm in public. He told them about the complaint he had filed. When they reviewed his complaint, the investigation against him by the police was dropped. The police told him that his report saved his bacon.

I know this is an old thread but what do you do when the police refuse to take a report? As Taylorsville police have done twice to me now.

-Rob

 

[one4freedom]

That worked out very well. I'm glad that you and your son are safe. That's just the type of self-defense incident that doesn't make it into the anti-gunners statistics.

One question. Did you call the police and report it? The reason I ask is because in such a situation, I've read that you can possibly avoid a charge of brandishing if you file a report before they do.

I read of a case in New York state where a man who was driving along was being harassed by another driver. At a stop light, the other driver got out and advanced aggressively towards the car. The driver quietly brought his pistol into view, whereupon the aggressor turned tail and ran. The man immediately went to the police station and filed a detailed report of exactly what happened.

The next day, police officers came to his house to question him about brandishing his firearm in public. He told them about the complaint he had filed. When they reviewed his complaint, the investigation against him by the police was dropped. The police told him that his report saved his bacon.

I know this is an old thread but what do you do when the police refuse to take a report? As Taylorsville police have done twice to me now.

-Rob

Rob,

I if that happened to you yesterday, I'm pretty sure my buddy was the cop who wouldn't take your report without you providing ID. He called me last night to complain about "Constitutionalists" like myself. PM me if you would like to discuss.

-SC

 

[RobFindlay]

This happened almost two years ago, so not the same guy.

 

[veyec]

What happened to the OP?

Ken Bement
Novice

Posts: 1
Joined: Sun 25 Jul 2004 2:49 pm

Only one post?

 

[Car Knocker]

veyec,

The OP made the one post and hasn't been back since.

 

[veyec]

Yeah, I just thought that it was kinda funny that this would be your only post, never to be heard from again.

 

[Daeyel]

What to do? Record the conversation - I say this alot - it really does help you later. Record him refusing to take the details, then immediately proceed to give the details - preferably with the cop there. Then he cannot deny having heard your story. At the very least, you've got it on tape if you need to refresh your memory or present it as evidence.

 

[UtahJarhead]

Old thread, guys. You're talking to the wall.

 

[jaredbelch]

Old thread, guys. You're talking to the wall.

Is this how you do it?
:bang:

 

[one4freedom]

This happened almost two years ago, so not the same guy.

Wow I feel like an idiot! I could have sworn I checked the date stamp on your previous post and thought it was still relevent. My apologies for the thread resurrection. I'll go back to my corner and shut up...