Need some advice- because I TRUST YOU ALL!

[doc66]

Ok,

So am I just being paranoid or should I be concerned. (I will always have concern though)

I have lived in my house for the past 5 years. Its in an "ok" area. I mean it has its problems but nothing I can't handle. I have no neighbors on either side of me at the moment- result of the forecloser issue. Everyone else around me seem fine. Again Ive been here for 5 years already and have struck up some ok relationships. Well, there is a homeowner who portrays a "thug" lifestyle in that he acts "tough" and doesn't take stuff from anyone. He is the neighborhood mechanic and thus there are always people at his house. But again, I've never had a problem with him. His son, (19) is a dropout but he does help his Dad. They are hard working folks- just "ghetto" sometimes. I know they smoke "green stuff" and drink and so on. But oh well, to each his own.

So here is my concern:

Today, im doing some yardwork and the youngster comes over and sees that Im smoking a cigerrette. (just started this bad habit) He asks me for one and we start talking. On one wall of my garage I have plastered it with paper targets from the range. (dont know if this was a mistake- as it advertises guns mabye?) Well, he started talking about guns and the fact that he can get some if I wanted since I was into guns. I told him I was not interested. He said, to be careful because in this area, there are alot of "punk" type kids who wont think twice about hitting a house that might have guns. He said I had nothing to worry about because he was my neighbor. Funny thing is- I know for a fact that his house has been hit 3 times in the past 7 years. His house was hit just last year- in the early morning. There are youngsters around this area because I live a block away from a high school. I have never felt threatened about being burglarized because someone is always home. I have everything locked down the proper way and when Im home, its straight open carry. I take every precaution I can. House is always locked up, trustee friend is always on perimeter watch outside- but he is too small to really do anything. Maybe it wasnt a good idea for people to see all those paper silohouttes. Paper has been torn down for a few months now.

But should I be concerned? Is there anything else I could do to prevent coming home to find house broken in to? Or am I just being paranoid.

[sorensen440]

Yes you should be concerned

[thempopresense]

take down the targets for sure. that pretty much says, "Hey, I have Guns"

[ImOverHere]

On one wall of my garage I have plastered it with paper targets from the range. (dont know if this was a mistake- as it advertises guns mabye?)

Gee...ya think?

Seriously, I'd consider that a possibly veiled threat on the part of your neighbor.

IAC, what do you think you could do differently at this point? Besides removing range targets, I mean. E.g.:

I try to dispose of all shooting-related trash at the range. I'll even leave stuff stored in my car trunk, then dispose of it at some random dumpster (e.g., at the carwash) so as not to entice any local thug.

I try not to be too terribly paranoid but, if I can, I'll place shooting stuff in a backpack vs. openly carry firearm-related accessories for all the world to see as I walk to/from my car.

I close the blinds when I work on my firearms near a window so anyone walking or living nearby can't see in.

And, of course, all firearms all locked up in a safe when I leave my place.

That sort of thing - you get the idea. IHTH - is that the sort of thing you mean?

[Theseus]

I kind of disagree...mostly because I don't feel we should hide the fact that we have guns.

We don't hide the cars we drive or the other high-value things we own. Take the proper precautions and take the reasonable steps necessary to secure your arms so that they can't be stolen or that doing so would take an unreasonable amount of time and call it a day.

[BigBamBoo]

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[BigBamBoo]

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[Backcountry]

I give it 2 months before that kid and his hommies break into your house.

Uh, check that... 1 month... your neighbor's kid has probably already sold the info that you own guns to his posse for a bag of weed. If you intend to stay, you should buy a quality safe, a quality alarm system, and a big rottweiler.

Otherwise, sounds like you've been marked.

Finally, no, the police won't be able to help you. They'll only come by to pick up the pieces and file a report.

[gravedigger]

No, expensive cars are not the same as guns. Take down the targets. DO NOT let the neighbor's kid into your home to get a layout of the interior. Set up cameras and motion sensors with lights and beepers that will sound off if someone is moving around outside of your home. X-10 offers cheap solutions for this.

As for your neighbor's son saying,

He said I had nothing to worry about because he was my neighbor.

THAT is a big red flag for me. What is he, some gang banger with a "Fonzie" reputation, so that no bad guys will mess with you, because HE is your neighbor? He is trying to make his anatomy larger by hinting that he is so "bad" that the local low-life need HIS blessing before they hit your house? What a load of cr*p!

Tell that young punk that you don't need his "protection." Tell him that you haven't run out of places to hide the bodies. Tell him that in the REAL world, his "Yo, Homie! this dude is cool!" nonsense will get him into big trouble.

Better yet, don't tell him anything. Just ignore him.

[Riodog]

Paranoid you are not. Dumb, maybe.
The fewer people that know what you have is better. I don't care if you have a hundred grand in diamonds, tools, guns or cash. The targets are nothing more than your bragging rights and so if you get burgled, you brought it on yourself.

Even when my garage door is open, which is seldom, the only thing visible from the street is a work bench. Neither of my roll-aways, no reloading equipment, only a refrigerator and the dogs water bowl. Everything of value is in 1 of 3 safes and they are in the house. The perimeter is motion sensered lights and there are 6 cameras to boot. 2 dogs and a another person that is home 24/7. If that isn't enough then they can have it cuz for what I pay a year in insurance almost bankrupts ME.
Rio

[ImOverHere]

I kind of disagree...mostly because I don't feel we should hide the fact that we have guns.

We don't hide the cars we drive or the other high-value things we own. Take the proper precautions and take the reasonable steps necessary to secure your arms so that they can't be stolen or that doing so would take an unreasonable amount of time and call it a day.

I certainly understand your point, but I disagree.

For me, safety comes first, followed by good health, then happiness. Political correctness which - no offense meant - seems to be what you're advocating, comes far behind.

Having said that, I make no secret of the fact I'm not only a firearm owner but a strong 2A/RKBA advocate among those I've already "screened" re threat status, if you will.

But strangers? No way. Why put yourself into a potentially dangerous situation on PC grounds? While I'm not completely fearful of someone coming through my front door right now - I keep that passageway dimly lit and where I'm sitting now is offset from there and I have a loaded sidearm on/near me at all times when I'm home - why passively release info. re your firearms status to possible BGs?

That's not an effective or safe strategy, IMO. YMMV.

[ImOverHere]

Paranoid you are not. Dumb, maybe.
The fewer people that know what you have is better. I don't care if you have a hundred grand in diamonds, tools, guns or cash. The targets are nothing more than your bragging rights and so if you get burgled, you brought it on yourself.

Even when my garage door is open, which is seldom, the only thing visible from the street is a work bench. Neither of my roll-aways, no reloading equipment, only a refrigerator and the dogs water bowl. Everything of value is in 1 of 3 safes and they are in the house. The perimeter is motion sensered lights and there are 6 cameras to boot. 2 dogs and a another person that is home 24/7. If that isn't enough then they can have it cuz for what I pay a year in insurance almost bankrupts ME.
Rio

Yep. I think of it sort of like I did many years ago in high school, when I was interested in drag racing: Better to drive a "sleeper" and surprise the hell out of your opponent and blow off his doors, than arrive all emblazoned with decals, jacked-up in the rear, and gunning your engine.

But that's just me.

[gravedigger]

I tow motorcycles for a living. I have a customer who has a tarp hanging from his garage door. It is cut into 2-foot wide panels and is mounted to a strip of 1x2 wood about a foot down from the top on the inside of the door. When the door is open, the tarp hangs down to the ground, side-to-side, because the open door is about a foot lower than the door frame opening. He drives his car and bike right under the tarp to enter and exit. This prevents anyone from seeing what is in his garage when the door is open. When the door closes, the tarp just touches the floor.

[Cal45man]

I would buy the best gun safe you can get and hide your guns in the safe.Lock up and secure your house good when no ones home.Get a good guard dog. Your not parinoid your 6th sense givig you a hint.

[Gator Monroe]

I try to do all household Repairs & installations at both of my homes (so as to keep workers & such from knowing what I have) and load & unload my Guncases & gear inside my closed garage so as to keep that from being seen also try ADT ...