I am ready to rip somebody's head off! HUGE VENT

[Solaris]

So. We get back from some errands, and our neighbor meets us outside. The one who doesn't like to call 911 unless she's forced to. (Don't ask me why, I don't know.) It seems that while we were gone, she noticed two young men casing our house for a robbery. I won't go into details, but the guys spent over 45 minutes checking out the house: one on guard near the street, and one wandering around and peering into windows and checking out the back. Bear started barking his head off in the back yard, which apparently made them nervous. (Go, Bear!) The one on guard sat there talking on his cell phone---probably filling in other partners. I *wish* our neighbor had gone ahead and called the cops, so they could send a car out to question the guys---it might've helped as a future deterrent. I'm kinda mad at her about that, but at least she noticed the guys and kept an eye on them, and was ready to call if they actually broke in.

Troy is going to talk with her husband when he gets home tonight, and the two of them are going to call the police and ask for additional neighborhood patrols. I'm sure the cops will for a while, but eventually they'll ease off again, and it may help as an immediate deterrent... but if they're thinking about it, they may wait a few months.

Thing is, our neighbor's son, according to her, used to play basketball with one of the two guys. When he quit doing so, she asked her son why, and he said that he found out the guy had just gotten out of jail for armed robbery.

Yeah. Great. And it turns out the guy lives two houses up the street from us.

I. Am. Furious. Our neighbor is scared shitless, but I'm just fucking furious. I've had goddamn teenage boys break into my house before and steal my shit, when I was living with my parents. They stole a bunch of my folks' stuff, too. And you better believe that, if these stupid shitheads try to break in when we're home and get nasty, they're gonna be very hurt or dead shitheads before too long, because this is my home, I have a little kid, and they're not gonna be bringing any of that kind of shit in here. We have all kinds of nasty shit around the house I can use on an intruder, and I won't hesitate to do so if they in any way threaten me or my family. In fact, if I believe they're a danger to me or my family, I won't hesitate to kill or whatever I've got to do to incapacitate them, so they can't cause that harm.

Yes, I'll be sensible. Yes, if I hear someone in the house I'll call the cops, and not go investigate unless it's sounds coming from near wherever my son is. I'd kinda like to be alive and around to see him grow up. However, I am also ready to defend myself and my family, if they're stupid enough to break in when I'm home. And if my *husband's* home, and they get near where we or Finn are, he can do worse to them than I will---he's a martial artist. Of course, the two of us working on them together will mean that the guys have to be carried out of here, at the very least.

I may not keep a gun... but we've got a helluvalot of swords, daggers, and general household chemicals that are great for spraying or throwing into someone's eyes. Not to mention other nice little nasty objects that can be used to bludgeon someone.

If they *do* decide to break in when we're home, pray that they stay away from where we all are (the room(s) we're in), and that the cops arrive to deal with them first. It'll be a lot less messy.

[howyadoin]

Thing is, our neighbor's son, according to her, used to play basketball with one of the two guys. When he quit doing so, she asked her son why, and he said that he found out the guy had just gotten out of jail for armed robbery.

Yeah. Great. And it turns out the guy lives two houses up the street from us.Well, he's probably on parole. Send the cops his way.

[Converge]

Why don't you walk down to the kids house and give him something to think about?

[Michael P]

Do we need to form a CBR Posse?

[Winslow]

Thing is, our neighbor's son, according to her, used to play basketball with one of the two guys. When he quit doing so, she asked her son why, and he said that he found out the guy had just gotten out of jail for armed robbery.

Yeah. Great. And it turns out the guy lives two houses up the street from us.

To ask the obvious, did Troy tell the police who this guy was?

If so, hopefully the police will knock on his door, and that will be all the deterrent you need.

If the police don't do it, and if Troy has a good friend that's willing, maybe Troy can knock on the guys door and say he noticed their son was walking around their house today and wondered what the problem was? . . .

Sucks.

I'm sure you feel violated.

[Spike-X]

Goddamn, your neighbour needs a good slappin'. I hope and pray that nothing comes of this, Chris.

Oh, and you might want to edit out the parts of your post that could be used as evidence of premeditation.

[Converge]

Well, he's probably on parole. Send the cops his way.

probably probation, not parole.

[Michael P]

If the police don't do it, and if Troy has a good friend that's willing, maybe Troy can knock on the guys door and say he noticed their son was walking around their house today and wondered what the problem was? . . .

For full effect, Troy should be dressed like Conan the Barbarian, complete with sword.

[howyadoin]

probably probation, not parole.That's actually what I meant to say. Thanks for the catch.

[ghostrider666]

That REALLY sucks ass. I'm sorry to hear about it. Though calling the cops before they do something prob wont get anything done. Its all just probable cause & would go nowhere. The worst part is that you have to live with these animals just a couple houses away. Get together with your neighbor & work out a plan to watch out for eachother. Also, call the cops. They'll just blow it off, but there'll be a record for the future. I hope they just leave you & yours alone.

[Winslow]

For full effect, Troy should be dressed like Conan the Barbarian, complete with sword.

I think carrying one of Blair's toys would be more effective . . .

[Converge]

I think you should add a little bit of security to your household.

I suggest picking this up for research: http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000CGD0K.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Solaris]

Well, he's probably on parole. Send the cops his way.


Ooooo! VERY good point!! I'll make sure and tell Troy that---I think having the cops pay him a *personal* visit might well help deter his LOCAL activities, at any rate. Good one---thanks a ton, Brett. :)

As for the rest, yes I was venting... but I also meant every word that I said. IF they try to break in, we WILL observe sensible caution---things are nothing compared to lives and health---but if life or health are threatened in any way, think tigress protecting her cub. I will take whatever hits come my way and not stop until either I'm down, or he/they are. That's not bravado and inexperience talking... that's determination and the knowledge that if I did that, I'd be risking injury and possibly death in doing it. I don't walk into shit like that blindly. BUT, if danger comes my way, and I think I need to fight to stop it, you bet your ass it's an all or nothing thing for me... and if they threaten my kid, I'd literally rip their throats out with my teeth, if I had nothing else to fight with. I'm that nasty and that lethal-minded in defending my family and myself. Fair fights are for exhibitions; when danger's involved, nothing is too dirty, in my book. And you don't stop fighting until one of you can't move---and you hope and pray it's your opponent, not you.

[Crinos]

Personally, I'd go up to their house. sit down with them, and calmly tell this kid if he or any of his friends come within ten feet of my house again that I would hunt him down, peel the flesh off his bone, microwave it, then feed it to my dog.

Course, thats just me.

[Solaris]

Why don't you walk down to the kids house and give him something to think about?


That was my first reaction: go to his house and tell him that if he's thinking about breaking into OUR home he should think again, because even if we aren't there our dog will rip his head off. But Troy nixed that, and I think he's right. I was just so mad that I wanted to come off immediately threatening to this punk and his friend, so that maybe they'll go elsewhere. But Troy thinks the police are better for that, and I have to agree. But the first instince was to do what you said... heh.

[Solaris]

To ask the obvious, did Troy tell the police who this guy was?

If so, hopefully the police will knock on his door, and that will be all the deterrent you need.

If the police don't do it, and if Troy has a good friend that's willing, maybe Troy can knock on the guys door and say he noticed their son was walking around their house today and wondered what the problem was? . . .

Sucks.

I'm sure you feel violated.


We're waiting till the neighhor's husband gets home (he's ex-military, a Master Sergeant), and he and Troy will file the report jointly with the cops.

No, I don't feel violated... I just feel very very angry and very territorial right now. They didn't actually break in. If they had, the neighbor was ready to call the cops right away... hopefully having them get caught in the act.

[nubly]

theres a home alone 4? how many times can you forget your kid?

[Charles RB]

If they *do* decide to break in when we're home, pray that they stay away from where we all are, and that the cops arrive to deal with them first. It'll be a lot less messy.

Why do you want me to waste valuable praying time making sure these twonks don't meet a messy fate?

[Crinos]

theres a home alone 4? how many times can you forget your kid?

In three and four it was a different kid.

Anyways in the third one Kevin was sick at home and international terrorists were breaking into his home while his mom was at work.

[Solaris]

Goddamn, your neighbour needs a good slappin'. I hope and pray that nothing comes of this, Chris.

Oh, and you might want to edit out the parts of your post that could be used as evidence of premeditation.


No, it's not premeditation. It's simply a vent, plus following the advice of the cop who taught our rape prevention classes: "If you assess the immediate situation and you think that fighting is necessary to save your or someone else's life, go for what will immediatly put them down and keep them there, so you can get away and call the cops. That often means Lethal Force---and if you aren't willing to use it, never even attempt to fight... because a half-hearted effort will merely make your attacker more angry, and cause more harm back to you. So I'm telling all of you right now: if you're going to fight back, you have to be ready to do major harm, or even kill, in using the techniques I'm teaching you here tonight. Think long and hard about whether or not you could kill someone if you had to... because if you can't, it'll cause hesitations and half-hearted defense, and you'll not put him down, you'll just piss him off."

I followed his advice, and thought long and hard about it (as I've said here before). I decided that, though I know it would emotionally scar me in the long run to end someone's life, if it comes down to "him or me," if I can help it it's not gonna be me. Or my family.

If he/they simply take shit and run, fine. Let the cops chase 'em down. I don't want my stuff stolen, but it's just stuff. IF they threaten my kids, me, or my husband, all bets are off and I will fight for our lives in whatever fashion is necessary. That's not premeditation, it's simply acknowledgement that if it's necessary to "kill or be killed", I WILL act in self-defense, or in defense of another.

Yeah, I know I was pretty hot writing the first post or two... but I'm a sensible person, and life *is* very sacred to me. I'm not gonna sit up with a shotgun, or actually go to his house and issue threats. And I won't risk harm, if they're in the house but staying away from where we are---we'll just call the cops. I've thought, before, about the reality of facing someone with a knife or a gun, and the potentials for injury or death... and that thought will be very prominent in my mind if they *do* come into our home. But I'll face down that fear IF they threaten any of us with physical harm or death---I won't just stand there and let them shoot us.

[Michael P]

Georgia's one of those states where you can justifiably kill a man on your own property, right?

[Solaris]

Why do you want me to waste valuable praying time making sure these twonks don't meet a messy fate?

Because I don't want to have to harm anyone, to potentially kill anyone, or to run the risk of either to myself or to my family. I'd much rather let the cops deal with that if possible, because they're trained for it, and it's their job. I or my husband could come out of that (if we survived) with a permanent disability. Equally, we could end up killing the guys, which at the very least would mean being held in jail and potential trial, where hopefully it would be established that we acted in self-defense and defense of our son. That's the only reason we WOULD act---a tv, however much it cost, isn't worth killing someone over. It just isn't.

[Solaris]

Georgia's one of those states where you can justifiably kill a man on your own property, right?


I *think* so... but in my own mind in thinking about my own actions, them simply being in my home isn't enough for me to go face them. People have gotten killed that way. If I hear something funny, I'll call the cops and let *them* investigate.... and very quietly get Finn into the room with us and block the door with something. But if I wake up and someone is standing in my room with a gun or other weapon, and/or attacks us, I'll fight if I can't talk him out of running away. Hopefully I can do the former.

[bert]

I dunno what to say Flamey.

Except that I'm glad that they *didn't* break in (and that as annoying as it is that your neighbor didn't call the cops. . . at least she DID 1) keep an eye on them, and 2) make you aware of it. That's more than a LOT of other people would do).

hugs.

oh . .and I agree completely w/ Howy. . .

[Solaris]

Goddamn, your neighbour needs a good slappin'. I hope and pray that nothing comes of this, Chris.

Oh, and you might want to edit out the parts of your post that could be used as evidence of premeditation.


Oh and Spike, thanks. :) I know there's some lawyers out there who might *try* to use it as such, if the worst case scenario happened... but I've made it clear here and in other places my thoughts and feelings about dangerous confrontations, about life, etc. There's a difference between being sensible but ready to do whatever it takes to protect *lives*, versus simply "protecting" property. Property can be replaced, eventually, or lived without; lives can't. Anyway, I don't think a lawyer would have a real leg to stand on, because I've made it *very* clear that I would only use force/lethal force if I truly believed my or my family's lives were threatened, or we were threatened with physical harm. Self-defense or defense of another is, in my book, the only *real* reason to use lethal force.

[Mike Smash!]

God, that sucks, Chris...

Your neighbor really should have called, especially if they were as bloody obvious as all that.

Scaring them with the cops now would have likely scared them out of the whole thing altogether without having to wait for it to be "necessary" (ie.. letting it hit bottom before doing anything).

I would call the police on a non-911 number and tell them what your neighbor saw and they can keep an eye out and they'll likely take it seriously if you tell them what you said here and mention that this guy has a record.

[west3man]

I strongly suggest a pre-robbery visit to deter'em. I also strongly suggest letting the cops do it.

[Solaris]

I dunno what to say Flamey.

Except that I'm glad that they *didn't* break in (and that as annoying as it is that your neighbor didn't call the cops. . . at least she DID 1) keep an eye on them, and 2) make you aware of it. That's more than a LOT of other people would do).

hugs.

oh . .and I agree completely w/ Howy. . .


Well, Troy just called the police. He noticed the guy prowling around the house next door---apparently, that's the one that they were casing before, not ours---our neighbors is a bit incomprehensible when she's upset. That house is owned by a nice lady, who lives there on and off, as does her grown son. She's Eastern (Indian, I think), and I *think* maybe she spends part of her time in India, part here. Anyway, the cops are on their way to talk with Troy and check it out.

And yes, I *am* grateful that our other neighbor noticed the goings on and told us about it. Very. All too often people see something suspicious and just dismiss it as "none of my business."

[BlairH]

we've got a helluvalot of swords, daggers, and general household chemicals that are great for spraying or throwing into someone's eyes. Not to mention other nice little nasty objects that can be used to bludgeon someone.

Excellent!
You know what I'd reccomend in this situation, but melee weapons are a good substitute if y' know how best to use them. Stick with the lethal weapons, a big sword is good, if only for the deterrent effect. A short sword may actually be better for actual indoor combat. Chemicals of dubious nature may only push the interlopers into foolhardy defiance.

[howyadoin]

Well, Troy just called the police. He noticed the guy prowling around the house next door---apparently, that's the one that they were casing before, not oursGot a digital camera? Get a picture of this piece of shit.

[BlairH]

Got a digital camera? Get a picture of this piece of shit.
Maybe a cell-phone camera?
Might be less conspicuous.

[EZMOHR]

If your local PD is like were I work, all you have to do is call and patrol checks will be done... (we kind of have to do it if things are requested.) Plus, The kid that knows the douche bag that is doing this could call anonymously to say this guy is ganking shit. And, if you kill somebody in your house who is breaking in, there is a chance (hell a good possibility in CA.), that you will be arrested murder. Whether you are charged or not is up to the DA. But, yeah here is my advice, if you shoot them, shoot to kill, because that is one less witness. :D Nah, I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope somebody fucks those punks up.

[BlairH]

if you shoot them, shoot to kill.
Rule number one of firearms safety: "Do not aim at anything you do not wish to destroy."

[Solaris]

Rule number one of firearms safety: "Do not aim at anything you do not wish to destroy."


Yep. But we don't keep a gun.

Well, here's the update: seems I *did* mistake what the neighbor was saying, and it *was* the house next door they were scoping out.

It gets even more interesting after that... Troy was taking out a couple loads of trash, and saw the kid again and that the car in the driveway had it's trunk open... so he said to hell with this and called the cops. Who came over and investigated. Turns out, the back door is busted out, and a whole pile of items were sitting on the woman's back patio. The house is trashed, with mirrors broken, clothes strewn everywhere, and paint spilled all over, down the stairs, over the couch, etc. The cop thinks that some gang members have been LIVING there. Yeah. Right next door to us. The owner doesn't live there all the time, and her car out front has a flat... prime sign no one's home. Anyway, so maybe these guys who were scoping out that house are from a rival gang or something, I dunno.

A man down the street does the lady's yardwork, and knew her last name and that she's in New Jersey right now, tho' he didn't have a contact # for her. So, the police are going to try to find her (name's unusual) to notify her about the situation. In the meantime, Troy and Perry and a neighbor are moving all the stuff back into her home and boarding up the broken door w/some plywood we have. We checked with the cop and he said that the police can't impound any of the stuff w/out the owner's permission, and that the CSI unit wouldn't be coming out, tho' he took some photos himself. We can't just leave her stuff (what's left) sitting out for whomever to take, or for rain, so the best thing is to stick it back inside and board up the broken door.

Anywho, I made sure one of our other watchful neighbors knew exactly what's going on, too---he keeps a good eye out. Unfortunately, none of us who have had much of anything to do with the woman or her son saw these kids going in and out, or we would've made the call sooner.

The cop said we're "living in gang central," btw. Apparently this area of neighborhoods has a good amount of gang life going on. We suspected that some of the kids within a 1-2 mile radius were into gangs; for one thing, there's some areas that have had a real problem with tagging going on, on fences and on store buildings. We haven't seen any blatant activity (in terms of dealers, pushers, gang members roaming in groups, drive-by shootings etc.), but that doesn't mean that there's no gangs around. Duh. Even smaller cities, like the very small one Troy is from in rural Alabama, have gang activity now---especially since some of the big gangs decided to go national, several years ago, and establish themselves in cities around the country. We've known about that for a long time. Hell, Troy worked at a city pool in high school where they had to keep an eye on rival gang activity all the time, as they all tended to come together at the pool.

Anyway, we don't assume that just because we don't have the more blatant stuff out in the open that it might not get that way. Difference is, the neighbors HERE aren't gonna stand for it. Many people on our street look out for one anothers' lives and property, and if the bangers think they can set up full shop here, they've got another think coming. People here *will* call in the police whenever something's going on. An active inquisitiveness and attention by the residents is a pretty big deterrent to that kind of thing... makes 'em want to go somewhere that they don't have to worry about the cops being called in.

[EZMOHR]

Rule number one of firearms safety: "Do not aim at anything you do not wish to destroy."


Every time I go to the range, that is exactly what they say, word-4-word.

[Sabrinaset]

BlairH, I'm taking my rifle out of the safe; wanna join me at Solaris' for some ... uhm ... target practice?

[BlairH]

BlairH, I'm taking my rifle out of the safe; wanna join me at Solaris' for some ... uhm ... target practice?
That would be fun!
Although my parole officer* has warned me about further acts of vegetarianism (or is that vigilanteism? hmmm, never could tell the difference)

*Note: I don't actually have a parole officer. I'm a good, upstanding, right-thinking, law-abiding Scotsman!

[BlairH]

Every time I go to the range, that is exactly what they say, word-4-word.

Indeed!

It's the same here. I'm known as being a bit of a "range Nazi", in that anybody at the range who disobeys the rules or shows any disrespect for the rules, will get hell from me, as they jepoardise my safety and the safety of others. Shoot smart, shoot safely.

A gun, in defensive use, is the weapon of last last last resort. Aiming a gun at an interloper should demonstrate complete willingness to fire should the need arise.

[BlairH]

Yep. But we don't keep a gun.

Yeah, I know. I was just responding to our resident law enforcement officer.

[DonC]

Chris, if there is gang activity in your neighborhood, you and everyone be careful around there.

[Greg Hatcher]

Well, shucks. I don't have any advice, Chris, because you guys are doing exactly right.

I will say that it does my heart good to hear you talking so strongly about keeping your neighborhood safe. Most folks just start looking for a place to move to when the neighborhood starts to go, instead of staying and fighting to make it a decent place. I wish more folks thought like you and your neighbors do about that.

[Sabrinaset]

Solaris, Blair and I are on the way! Do you want us to use silencers or not?

[Solaris]

Well, shucks. I don't have any advice, Chris, because you guys are doing exactly right.

I will say that it does my heart good to hear you talking so strongly about keeping your neighborhood safe. Most folks just start looking for a place to move to when the neighborhood starts to go, instead of staying and fighting to make it a decent place. I wish more folks thought like you and your neighbors do about that.


Well, don't give us *too* much credit, Greg---we can't exactly afford to move out right now anyway. :D Thing is, the neighbors right around us are pretty good about looking after each other, so that's a good thing. And yeah, they aren't gonna put up with that kind of crap, and neither will we.

Oh, and Sab---you and Blair stay home, you gun happy peoples, you! :D Seriously, it's not that bad around here. I just don't like gang crap anywhere, but some places they're more entrenched and harder to get rid of that kind of stuff.

[Converge]

You should probably join a gang. To protect yourself from the other gang. It's a smart idea.

[twilight]

I don't actually have a parole officer. I'm a good, upstanding, right-thinking, law-abiding Scotsman!

I can think of at least two things wrong with that sentence.

[DarkBlade]

You should probably join a gang. To protect yourself from the other gang. It's a smart idea.
... you know how people have been telling you to work on the whole humor thing lately? Keep trying.

[Converge]

... you know how people have been telling you to work on the whole humor thing lately? Keep trying.

yes, because i'm interested in making everyone else laugh.

[MacQuarrie]

Indeed!

It's the same here. I'm known as being a bit of a "range Nazi", in that anybody at the range who disobeys the rules or shows any disrespect for the rules, will get hell from me, as they jepoardise my safety and the safety of others. Shoot smart, shoot safely.

A gun, in defensive use, is the weapon of last last last resort. Aiming a gun at an interloper should demonstrate complete willingness to fire should the need arise.
And if you can't commit to that, for God's sake don't pull a gun. The other guy will be able to tell if you haven't got what it takes to pull the trigger, and if he does, he will take the gun from you and use it.

Also, if anybody in the house struggles with depression or impulse control issues, do not keep a gun.

It would be nice if these things could be taken for granted.

[MacQuarrie]

I really hope these scumbags get nailed good and hard for this crap.

Chris, a word of advice from somebody who's been there: if you start a neighborhood watch or similar activity, DO NOT let these scumbags or their families find out when the meetings are. Years ago, our neighborhood decided to start such a program.... while we were all at the one guy's house to talk about it, the teenage sons of my next-door neighbor broke into everybody's houses. Lots of TVs and computers went away that evening. (We had a babysitter at the house so we were spared.)

Good luck.

[Cei-U!]

Isn't trespassing (i.e., being on private property without the owner's permission) a crime anymore? Why can't these mooks be charged with that?

As someone who's been both burglarized and mugged, I have nothing but empathy for your situation, Chris. If I'd had a gun--and been able to use it--the last time someone broke in, I'd have blown that fucking meth freak right out of his socks without a second thought. (Of course he'd cased my place beforehand and knew I was no threat.) Well, at least he left fingerprints and went to jail for it.

Cei-U!
I summon the old rage!

[JadeDragon]

Chris,

Ugh! So sorry to hear that your neighborhood is plagued with vermin. It's such a shame that these days it seems that noplace is safe from criminals.

Sounds like you've got an excellent system of neighbor support! Thats such a blessing. It sucks though that nobody noticed any activity at the house being vandalized sooner. That poor lady.

Seems to me you have some real advantages though. You are aware of some of the people involved and even know where one lives. Thats huge. You might even think about putting up a huge sign in a visible window saying "Protected by Smith and Wesson". Even if it aint true. Thieves are a cowardly lot who prey on the weak, dont want to risk being hurt in the process. At least thats what all my years of reading BATMAN has taught me. ;)

Maybe you and Troy could rent a nice Charles Bronson movie to pump up the spirits...perhaps "Deathwish 3". Sounds silly, I know, but when I saw that movie I was all like "Yeah! There's a guy who wouldn't sit down and take it!"

Best wishes to you and Troy and the family. Hope you have a happy and safe Holidays.

Yer old pal, JadeDragon

(I was driving by the Universal City Hilton yesterday, always reminds me of that great visit....jeeze, how long ago was that?)

[Alex]

My neighbor caught 3 people robbing his house at gun point, and held them outside his yard until the police came.
This was the only time i was happy i had a redneck who hunts every weekend as a neighbor.
My advice solaris?
Find a redneck with a lot of guns to move into your neighborhood, those guys love catching criminals.

[Fenris]

Yow! I'm sorry that your neighborhood is going through this sort of thing, Chris.

My parents' street had a similar kind of problem two years ago. There was a gang (not a "formal" gang, but a group of thieves) who were getting into one house after another. It was a really tense experience, naturally; though fortunately the police caught them in the end.

I hope you and yours aren't endangered. If you are, I know that you'll deal with it (hurrah, ferocious maternal instinct! :) ) but of course it'd be better all around if it never came to that.

Let us know what happens!

õ
Or if you need to vent some more!

[Gilda Dent]

And if you can't commit to that, for God's sake don't pull a gun. The other guy will be able to tell if you haven't got what it takes to pull the trigger, and if he does, he will take the gun from you and use it.

Also, if anybody in the house struggles with depression or impulse control issues, do not keep a gun.


Two reasons why I would never carry a gun, and why we don't have a gun in our home.

Those standards that someone on probation or parole has to live up to as conditions of their freedom are much higher than those for most citizens. If one of those kids is on probation, just casing the home or associating with gang members may be enough to put him away.

Gilda

[Daniel Lewis]

You might even think about putting up a huge sign in a visible window saying "Protected by Smith and Wesson".

Or my fave...

http://www.signusa.com/images/signs/91222_small.gif

[howyadoin]

Or my fave...

http://www.signusa.com/images/signs/91222_small.gifI'd be tempted to paper the neighbourhood with pictures of the guy who did time for armed robbery.

"Have you seen this scumbag?"

[BlairH]

Or my fave...

http://www.signusa.com/images/signs/91222_small.gif
I prefer
http://patriotshop.us/images/2ndAmendment_large.jpg

[Sabrinaset]

I like this...
http://prodtn.cafepress.com/0/17835740_F_tn.jpg
and...
http://prodtn.cafepress.com/8/2443538_F_tn.jpg

http://www.liberty-belles.org/images2/belles/anne01sm.jpg

[Converge]

http://static.flickr.com/21/37286281_974cff666a_o.jpg

[BlairH]

I like this...
http://prodtn.cafepress.com/0/17835740_F_tn.jpg
and...
I know the dude that took that photo! His name is Oleg Volk, and he's the coolest guy ever. I've noticed loads of folk posting his work as of late. Glad to see it's getting popular.

This is one of my fave Volk photos:
http://www.olegvolk.net/olegv/newsite/gungames/photographer-oleg_s.jpg

That photo sums him up to a tee! Slightly geeky, and as good a shot with the rifle as he is with the camera.

I had the pleasure of meeting with him and his friends a few times the last time I was in America.

[Sabrinaset]

If you were a woman, I'd recommend this to you...I get it all the time...
http://www.womenshooters.com/1105issue/pix1105/cover1105med2.jpg