trouble with the neighbors

walpur6isknight · 05-11-2005, 23:55

well, weve been having problems with the neighbors since we moved into our new place.
we hoped it would be a change from the apartments.
it has been, in terms of privacy.
there are some young people, close to our age, who rent the house across from us.
they appear very thuggish, and often try to talk to my girlfriend, and ask her if she wants to come over, etc....
she doesnt like it at all, and typically ignores them.
i have noticed when i am coming and going the like to stare me down, hard.
one day one of them walked to the edge of their lawn and had a hard look on his face, and i had to pull my shirt up to expose the top end of my carry gun.
he just walked back into the house.
there is traffic all day and night. and theres always a few cars outside.
im sure its drug activity.
i just dont know what do to. we just got into this house, and the rest of the neigbors all seem nice and pleasant.
but these thugs really bother me. we have some dogs to keep watch, but i dont want to come home one day and find out some criminal is up in arms with my stuff.
what should i do?

chec · 05-12-2005, 00:01

There's a couple of things.. Buy some pepper spray or file a police report for harassment. NEVER show your carry gun because one day they might shoot you and claim self defence due to they seen your gun.

G Junior · 05-12-2005, 00:05

+1 Never show your gun unless you have to use it, nothing good will come of it.

Keep security up, doors windows locked etc. If there's only thugs in the house, they will eventually lose it, from my own experience. Especially if there's drug activity. Feel free to report suspicious activity to your local PD, ya never know. Sorry to hear of your situation, I'm only 26 myself but most people my age have finally gotten past that "thuggish" stage.

Good luck.

quicksand · 05-15-2005, 01:04

It might be to late for this, but whenever I move into a new place I always go to my neighbors and let them know who I am. Introduce yourself and ask them to come over for beer and burgers or something. This doesnt always mean you will be friends, but it has always made it for me that we are friendly. People are less likley to give you **** if they know who you are. Since you brandished a gun it might be to late , but it might not. Man up and go meet these guys face to face or move.

narcoticz · 05-15-2005, 16:04

Quote:

Originally posted by quicksand
It might be to late for this, but whenever I move into a new place I always go to my neighbors and let them know who I am. Introduce yourself and ask them to come over for beer and burgers or something. This doesnt always mean you will be friends, but it has always made it for me that we are friendly. People are less likley to give you **** if they know who you are. Since you brandished a gun it might be to late , but it might not. Man up and go meet these guys face to face or move.

I think it is too late for that. If he go meet those guys face to face they would probably shoot him or beat up him up since he showed his gun to them. Bad idea ;f

walpur6isknight · 05-15-2005, 16:32

decided to move.
that should end the problems for sure.
;f

chec · 05-15-2005, 19:29

Quote:

Originally posted by walpur6isknight
decided to move.
that should end the problems for sure.
;f

Until you show your gun again to "scare" your next neighbors. ;g

Mikey Glockster · 05-19-2005, 14:14

I think you showed your gun to let them know you wouldn't be a victim, without acknowledging the probability of them using the drugs they sell, and not caring WHAT is stuffed in your jeans. I believe the term for your actions is "sophomoric", but we live and learn. If there would have been any confrontation, the chance of deadly force being used greatly increased.

AlexTheShotgunn · 05-23-2005, 20:34

hey i feel your pain. i just bought my first house and all of my neighbors are really nice exept the ones right next door. i belive he did the right thing, leting people like that know that you are not a victim is in my opnion a good choice. he was after all on his own property (i think)and he can do what ever he wants with his guns as far a disply or carry (legaly).Luckyly for me i am not the type of guy you can 'stare down'the thugs next door avert their eyes at the sight of me. and if they didn't or tryed what they did with the poster things would not be very happy for them... i have tryed being very friendly but they just don't want it that way and thats the way they will get things.

chec · 05-26-2005, 22:27

Quote:

Originally posted by AlexTheShotgunn
hey i feel your pain. i just bought my first house and all of my neighbors are really nice exept the ones right next door. i belive he did the right thing, leting people like that know that you are not a victim is in my opnion a good choice. he was after all on his own property (i think)and he can do what ever he wants with his guns as far a disply or carry (legaly).Luckyly for me i am not the type of guy you can 'stare down'the thugs next door avert their eyes at the sight of me. and if they didn't or tryed what they did with the poster things would not be very happy for them... i have tryed being very friendly but they just don't want it that way and thats the way they will get things.

It was just STUPID to show a firearm to ANYONE unless you plan on using it. NO NEED to show someone your firearm or attempt to INTIMIDATE them....

Minuteman · 05-27-2005, 00:25

Quote:

Originally posted by walpur6isknight

and had a hard look on his face, and i had to pull my shirt up to expose the top end of my carry gun.
he just walked back into the house.

You commited a crime! Not the neighbor, he did the right thing, you didn't. He could have walked back inside and called the cops. They would have arrested you, taken ALL of your guns, handcuffed, off to jail. If your charged with a felony you'll never own guns again.

While your in jail he's banging your girl.

Look these words up in your state criminal code:

Brandishing
Battery
Assault
Threats of harm
Dolt

;?

Minuteman · 05-27-2005, 00:39

§21 1362. Disturbance by loud or unusual noise or abusive, violent, obscene, profane or threatening language.

If any person shall willfully or maliciously disturb, either by day or night, the peace and quiet of any city of the first class, town, village, neighborhood, family or person by loud or unusual noise, or by abusive, violent, obscene or profane language, whether addressed to the party so disturbed or some other person, or by threatening to kill, do bodily harm or injury, destroy property, fight, or by quarreling or challenging to fight, or fighting, or shooting off any firearms, or brandishing the same, or by running any horse at unusual speed along any street, alley, highway or public road, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court or jury trying the same.
Laws 1910 11, c. 58, p. 135, § 1; Laws 1968, c. 83, § 1, emerg. eff. April 1, 1968.

AlexTheShotgunn · 05-31-2005, 22:02

One can have a gun on ones property. "the right to keep and bear arms" remember that one? now im not saying you should point a gun at people, just sit quietly on your porch cleaning a shotgun. totaly leagal.

Timmah! · 06-02-2005, 11:35

Quote:

One can have a gun on ones property. "the right to keep and bear arms" remember that one? now im not saying you should point a gun at people, just sit quietly on your porch cleaning a shotgun. totaly leagal.

Curb your enthusiasm, junior.
The right to keep and bear arms does not extend to threatening behaviour. In many jurisdictions, even cleaning a shotgun on your porch is considered an inappropriate display='brandishment'. If the muzzle of your shotgun 'sweeps' outside your property, even for an instant, that'll get your license revoked or suspended in most places. It doesn't even have to really happen, all it takes in some gun-unfriendly counties is for someone to swear out a statement. What is your jurisdiction, BTW?
There are the rules that are written down, and then there are the REAL RULES...get my meaning? You need to understand how the real world works, any of us 'old-timers' can tell you about how much LEOs and judges love to be told about your Amendment2 'rights'. Don't take this as flaming you, son. You just need to understand that a gun is a huge responsibility, and must be treated as such. If you don't learn that, you probably won't be a shooter for long.

Also, it's L-E-G-A-L, only one 'A'.

mccaincouldwin? · 06-07-2005, 22:57

+1 to the Above.
Even if you are in an open carry state, it is a bad idea to display your gun in public unless you intend to use it (not that we haven't all wished we could just to show some jerk not to mess with us). Just ask the good folks in the carry forum of GT, letting people know you have a gun is a bad idea (better to not let them see it coming).

As for your neighbors, I had a not so similar problem last year. A-holes next door wouldn't shut the hell up in the middle of the night (although not gangsters). Introduced myself, and party with them every now and then. If they get too loud, they don't mind if I tell them to shut up and usually they are compliant.

As for your neighbors. Do they rent or own? If they rent, you might want to call the landlord to let them know that their property is in disarray (if that is the case…which I wouldn't doubt). Also, get your other neighbors to help you out by filing similar complaints with the city/police/landlord (they probably hate it as much as you do).

As far as them giving you "hard looks" and inviting your girlfriend over....there isn't much you can do. Just keep your cool, unless you want to go to jail. I'm a firm believer that your gun should never be displayed unless you plan on shooting.

Keep it concealed and keep safe. Also, an update would be nice.

-McCain Could Win?

mace85 · 06-28-2005, 05:53

Quote:

Originally posted by AlexTheShotgunn
One can have a gun on ones property. "the right to keep and bear arms" remember that one? now im not saying you should point a gun at people, just sit quietly on your porch cleaning a shotgun. totaly leagal.

I do not mean to flame, but I have spent years being socially crucified because of my intrest in firearms, and my shooting hobby. People like you AlexTheShotgunn give gun owners a bad name. Do you have any idea what kind of a tool you will look like when you are explaining to a judge your right to "keep and bear arms" after you have been arraigned for Threatening and intimidating, or possibly assault/aggravated assault. If this is the attitude you have about gun ownership then in my opinion you should not own a weapon. "The right to keep and bear arms" yes I do remember that one. I also remember that everytime an anti tries to take it away they cite an irresposible fool much like yourself. I agree with your statement that you should not point a weapon at someone, and I have cleaned my guns in my garage with the door open too. But there are some major differences here. All my neighbors know me for the responsible person I am, I observe strict muzzle discipline 200% of the time, and my weapons are always stripped to components so none of the parts even resemble a functioning firearm. Asking a question such as "do you remember that one?" on this forum in reference to the second amendment simply implies that your grasp of the criminal justice system is abysmal at best, and you did you legal studies with a season DVD of Judge Judy. As a responsible gun owner you should understand the laws and the ramifications of your actions. The law is not as cut and dry as it sounds. The right to keep and bear arms will only get you so far, that has absolutely nothing to do with what your actions are with that weapon. Sure we are lucky enough to possess firearms in this country, but the second amendment does not give you the right to intimidate someone with your weapon. I know this post will irritate some people on glocktalk, or perhaps the fact that I outright called people who participate in this behavior fools and bad influences may get me banned. But I remember the First Amendment, the freedom of speech. But the difference between me and you, AlexTheShotgunn is thatI realize I possess the right to say this. But I fully understand that my taking advantage of my rights can bring negative consequences. So please stop using your firearms to intimidate, or sell them. But just don't take the steps towards fueling the anti's arguments to take my firearms away. Thank you.

Timmah! · 06-28-2005, 06:31

We can only hope he listens.

jonathon · 06-28-2005, 16:42

I must have some unusual neighbors who don't go crazy at the sight of a gun ;f

In all seriousness.. your making a wise choice in moving. Drug houses usually mean meth, and meth means tweakers, and tweakers steal anything and everything to get their drug.

Mikey Glockster · 07-23-2005, 04:21

Quote:

Originally posted by walpur6isknight

one day one of them walked to the edge of their lawn and had a hard look on his face, and i had to pull my shirt up to expose the top end of my carry gun.

;P ;P ;P ;g ;P ;P ;P

I'm guessing you don't have a permit for that?
(Chuck-E-Cheese membership cards don't apply)

EAGLESFANPHILA · 07-28-2005, 23:17

Quote:

Originally posted by quicksand
It might be to late for this, but whenever I move into a new place I always go to my neighbors and let them know who I am. Introduce yourself and ask them to come over for beer and burgers or something. This doesnt always mean you will be friends, but it has always made it for me that we are friendly. People are less likley to give you **** if they know who you are. Since you brandished a gun it might be to late , but it might not. Man up and go meet these guys face to face or move.

That's what I was going to say. Just let them know you are a cool person and just want to live in peace. Most neighbors will respect that and not give you any trouble, even if they are doing something illegal over there. They will respect you and keep it out of your sight.

I had a similar problem when I moved into my first apartment with my fiance. A bunch of thugs would be on my step everytime my wife or I came home. One day when my wife was coming home she said the guys and a few girls acted like they didn't want to move when she wanted to get in the house.

So what I did a few days later when I came home and saw them on the steps, I said excuse me and they moved reluctantly. What I did was come back out and talked to them, and even offered the ones who were of age a beer. We sat there and talked for at least an hour. I let them know that I was there age once and that I just wanted to be cool with everybody. Once they saw that I cared about them and just wanted to raise a family, they were never on my steps again. Plus, everytime they saw me they addressed me as Mr. Larry. Sometimes it just takes a little conversation with these kids nowadays. For some, their parents don't bother to hear what they have to say, so when another adult shows sympathy and compassion they will submit most of the time. If you come to them with hostility, they will react with the same because that's what they are used to; not trying to be a punk in front of their buddies.

I would recommend you catch your neighbor at the right time, during day hours. If you notice they drink, buy a 6 pack, go over there offer it to them, and just say you wanna apologize for showing your piece, and that you just want to be good neighbor and say things like "you will keep an eye on their house when they're not home" and other things. Even the thugish of thugs can be touched.

You'd be surprised at what a little conversation can do.

EAGLESFANPHILA · 07-28-2005, 23:22

Quote:

Originally posted by mccaincouldwin?
+1 to the Above.
I'm a firm believer that your gun should never be displayed unless you plan on shooting.

Keep it concealed and keep safe. Also, an update would be nice.

-McCain Could Win?

I forgot to mention this. Don't ever do that again. What if he would have showed up at your door a few minutes later with a few buddies in arms.

Bad move.

Cryptoboy · 08-03-2005, 16:09

I'm with everyone else on here, shouldn't have shown your gun the way you did (now if you had been carrying openly, if legal in your state, that would've been a different story....)

Eagle and mccain, both very good points, but sometimes that doesn't do any good either. Some just like to try to stir things up and could care less. I've run into a few of them, and they just won't let things go.

AlexTheShotgunn · 08-19-2005, 14:19

wow i didn't know i was coming off as such a crazy. i never sugested useing a firearm to intimidate some one. i never have or never will use a gun to intimidate, scare or threaten anyone i was mearly suggestin an altenitive to "lifting" your shirt to some one. I was also trying to say that cleaning a gun in a responsable way would be a better altenitive to showing one off. i regularly clean gun actions with gun scruber on my back porch while talking to my nieghbor. I never thought of cleaning as a threating activity, i'll really consider that next time i take out the rugs to shake them out...;Q to reiterate waveing a gun around is a bad idea and aparently cleaning one is to beacuse you could get 10 to life.

Timmah! · 08-23-2005, 08:12

Posted by ALexTheShotgunn

Quote:

I was also trying to say that cleaning a gun in a responsable way would be a better altenitive to showing one off.

Alex, cleaning your gun is not an "alternative" to brandishing, the two things should have nothing to do with each other.

Quote:

i regularly clean gun actions with gun scruber on my back porch while talking to my nieghbor. I never thought of cleaning as a threating activity, i'll really consider that next time i take out the rugs to shake them out... to reiterate waveing a gun around is a bad idea and aparently cleaning one is to beacuse you could get 10 to life.

Is the "rug" reference a gun metaphor, or sarcasm?
At any rate, what all this really comes down to is location, both general and specific. If your neighbors are OK with you and your guns, it's alright to "shake the rugs"(?) on your back porch. And it should be your BACK porch. If you have unfriendlies in the area, however, you do so at your peril. Realistically, it doesn't matter whether you think cleaning a gun in full view of the public is a threatening activity, what does matter is if others (i.e. PD, AG) interpret it as such. Depending on the jurisdiction, you could be facing any number of criminal charges and/or license revokation. You probably won't get "10 to life", but is losing your license for life worth sending a message or making a point?

Tim