PatriotPride
Shooter
Let me preface this by saying I am still dealing with the adrenaline overload. I apologize as this is the second time I have nearly had to draw down on someone---and I'm still not accustomed to it.
~45 minutes ago I returned to my apartment from work and night classes. My neighbors are an older couple ~50 years old who tend to park their motorized wheelchair and double-park their vehicles to save spaces for themselves. As it was dark and I did not want to hit the wheelchair I parked carefully (or so I thought). ~3 minutes later the gentleman who double-parks knocked on my door and requested I move my vehicle as I had parked on the line by ~6 inches, and he did not want to hit my vehicle with his door. I complied and grabbed my keys to move my vehicle. At all times permitted by law I have a Glock 19 w/night sights on my person, and tonight my weapon was on my right at the 3 o'clock with a Serpa Blackhawk holster.
As I exited my building, the gentleman's wife was ~20 feet away. She started to curse and scream at me profusely. Her husband told her several times to go into the house. I asked "is there a problem maam?" politely. She responded by cursing me out and saying I parked like a **** on purpose. She then proceeded to get into my face. As soon as she saw my gun, she started calling me a "****ing punk". Her husband ran over to stop her and she responded by saying I had pulled my gun out and aimed it at her! As he is restraining her I have my left arm out and my right hand by my pectoral muscle, ready to strike or draw if need be. He decides that he is going to call 911 on ME! As he lets her go, she gets back in my face.
By this point the neighbors are crowding around. Mind you, this is a government-subsidized, low-income complex and the people here are the reason I started carrying. As I am backing up ~10 neighbors start to come towards me, in darkness. On top of a crazy woman I must now be aware of ~10 people IN THE DARK. It takes 3, yes THREE neighbors to pull her away from me. For ~2 minutes I am holding my left hand out and backing up yelling "maintain your distance! Stay Back maam!" The gentleman calls the police.
Before the police show up, I unload, lock the slide, and secure the weapon in my front seat, then lock my vehicle. I then place my hands on the trunk of the closest vehicle. Valpo PD shows up with a Sergeant and a Patrolman (not sure as the the latter's rank). Patrolman comes to my apt with me and secures my LTCH and ID. A county officer that I am friends with responds to the call and personally vouches for me. I explain the situation and they agree that I have done nothing wrong and have acted legally.
Now for the INTERESTING and upsetting part:
The Sergeant pulls me aside. He says that he talked to the other residents and that they say I have a habit of "pulling my gun" on people. I calmly explained I have never drawn, and I explained the prior situation. ~2 months ago a gangbanger who lives by me was upset that I was parking in a particular spot (there is no designated parking). He proceeded to threaten myself, my fiancee, and my vehicle and started to walk towards me. I pulled my coat away and put my left hand out and ordered him to stop. He complied, and 2 days later he was kicked out for the excessive police calls.
Anyway, the Sergeant proceeds to tell me how I am going to get myself killed if I continue to carry. He said "one of these days you're going to come across someone who's going to either kick your @ss or you're going to get killed. I mean, I could kick your @ss." How professional. He said it's my right to carry but if I continue to do so I'm going to get myself killed. He proceeded to lecture me on "being arrested for pointing an empty gun at someone." I calmly replied to him that I am fully aware of Indiana law and I will not just brandish my weapon at anyone. The level-headed patrolman asked me why I secured my weapon in my vehicle. I explained that I felt it would be better for everyone's safety if I did so. They all said they were impressed that I thought of that. They all suggested that if I "must carry" then I do so CC, as "adjusting your pants could be seen as going for your gun." I advised him that I do tend to CC, but as the weather just turned around and I WAS just in my apartment I did not CC in this particular instance.
I asked the patrolman if there would be a report made, as I am due to be hired on at the Porter County Sheriff's Department soon. He said that that would be up to his Sergeant.
So, long story short, I spoke with the gentleman. I advised him that my parking was an accident (although it was his fault I did so). He said his wife is severely depressed. I spoke with the neighbor across the hall who witnessed the entire incident. He said in no way did I touch my weapon nor was I threatening her. He was certain that the woman was highly intoxicated. I assured him she was not---there was no odor of alcohol nor was she inebriated. I wish the police had interviewed him.
All in all, I maintained my temper and did not draw nor escalate a ridiculous situation. I sought to remove myself, but unfortunately was unable to. I'm more upset with the Sergeant who seemed to see me as the instigator. If you've all made it this far and wouldn't mind giving younger INGOer some advice I would greatly appreciate it.
1. As I am due to be hired at the PCSD, should I place a call to administration on Monday and advise, just in case there was a report filed? My primary concern is that this will cost me a job that I am SO close to being hired for (~2 months).
2. Was there anything AT ALL that I should have done differently?
3. I will be meeting with my apartment manager on Monday to discuss this. My lease is not due to be completed until 7/31/10 due to a 3month laziness regarding the filing of the paperwork in their error. Ironically, just today I have found another apartment and would like to move there 5/2010. Should I request an early lease-termination with no repercussions?
Thanks for reading!
~45 minutes ago I returned to my apartment from work and night classes. My neighbors are an older couple ~50 years old who tend to park their motorized wheelchair and double-park their vehicles to save spaces for themselves. As it was dark and I did not want to hit the wheelchair I parked carefully (or so I thought). ~3 minutes later the gentleman who double-parks knocked on my door and requested I move my vehicle as I had parked on the line by ~6 inches, and he did not want to hit my vehicle with his door. I complied and grabbed my keys to move my vehicle. At all times permitted by law I have a Glock 19 w/night sights on my person, and tonight my weapon was on my right at the 3 o'clock with a Serpa Blackhawk holster.
As I exited my building, the gentleman's wife was ~20 feet away. She started to curse and scream at me profusely. Her husband told her several times to go into the house. I asked "is there a problem maam?" politely. She responded by cursing me out and saying I parked like a **** on purpose. She then proceeded to get into my face. As soon as she saw my gun, she started calling me a "****ing punk". Her husband ran over to stop her and she responded by saying I had pulled my gun out and aimed it at her! As he is restraining her I have my left arm out and my right hand by my pectoral muscle, ready to strike or draw if need be. He decides that he is going to call 911 on ME! As he lets her go, she gets back in my face.
By this point the neighbors are crowding around. Mind you, this is a government-subsidized, low-income complex and the people here are the reason I started carrying. As I am backing up ~10 neighbors start to come towards me, in darkness. On top of a crazy woman I must now be aware of ~10 people IN THE DARK. It takes 3, yes THREE neighbors to pull her away from me. For ~2 minutes I am holding my left hand out and backing up yelling "maintain your distance! Stay Back maam!" The gentleman calls the police.
Before the police show up, I unload, lock the slide, and secure the weapon in my front seat, then lock my vehicle. I then place my hands on the trunk of the closest vehicle. Valpo PD shows up with a Sergeant and a Patrolman (not sure as the the latter's rank). Patrolman comes to my apt with me and secures my LTCH and ID. A county officer that I am friends with responds to the call and personally vouches for me. I explain the situation and they agree that I have done nothing wrong and have acted legally.
Now for the INTERESTING and upsetting part:
The Sergeant pulls me aside. He says that he talked to the other residents and that they say I have a habit of "pulling my gun" on people. I calmly explained I have never drawn, and I explained the prior situation. ~2 months ago a gangbanger who lives by me was upset that I was parking in a particular spot (there is no designated parking). He proceeded to threaten myself, my fiancee, and my vehicle and started to walk towards me. I pulled my coat away and put my left hand out and ordered him to stop. He complied, and 2 days later he was kicked out for the excessive police calls.
Anyway, the Sergeant proceeds to tell me how I am going to get myself killed if I continue to carry. He said "one of these days you're going to come across someone who's going to either kick your @ss or you're going to get killed. I mean, I could kick your @ss." How professional. He said it's my right to carry but if I continue to do so I'm going to get myself killed. He proceeded to lecture me on "being arrested for pointing an empty gun at someone." I calmly replied to him that I am fully aware of Indiana law and I will not just brandish my weapon at anyone. The level-headed patrolman asked me why I secured my weapon in my vehicle. I explained that I felt it would be better for everyone's safety if I did so. They all said they were impressed that I thought of that. They all suggested that if I "must carry" then I do so CC, as "adjusting your pants could be seen as going for your gun." I advised him that I do tend to CC, but as the weather just turned around and I WAS just in my apartment I did not CC in this particular instance.
I asked the patrolman if there would be a report made, as I am due to be hired on at the Porter County Sheriff's Department soon. He said that that would be up to his Sergeant.
So, long story short, I spoke with the gentleman. I advised him that my parking was an accident (although it was his fault I did so). He said his wife is severely depressed. I spoke with the neighbor across the hall who witnessed the entire incident. He said in no way did I touch my weapon nor was I threatening her. He was certain that the woman was highly intoxicated. I assured him she was not---there was no odor of alcohol nor was she inebriated. I wish the police had interviewed him.
All in all, I maintained my temper and did not draw nor escalate a ridiculous situation. I sought to remove myself, but unfortunately was unable to. I'm more upset with the Sergeant who seemed to see me as the instigator. If you've all made it this far and wouldn't mind giving younger INGOer some advice I would greatly appreciate it.
1. As I am due to be hired at the PCSD, should I place a call to administration on Monday and advise, just in case there was a report filed? My primary concern is that this will cost me a job that I am SO close to being hired for (~2 months).
2. Was there anything AT ALL that I should have done differently?
3. I will be meeting with my apartment manager on Monday to discuss this. My lease is not due to be completed until 7/31/10 due to a 3month laziness regarding the filing of the paperwork in their error. Ironically, just today I have found another apartment and would like to move there 5/2010. Should I request an early lease-termination with no repercussions?
Thanks for reading!
Did I miscommunicate? The only time I touched the gun was to secure it in my vehicle, which the LEO confirmed was reasonable. Should I have not done so?
