Had to load my weapon this morning...

[Percenter3]

I want to start off by saying that I have never had to slide a loaded mag into my pistol for anything except for shooting at the range before. I do however keep a loaded mag next to my TV, and my 1911 underneath of my bed. I want to keep the 2 seperate, but quickly accessible if necessary.

So anyways, it was about 2:30 AM and I was dead asleep. I had passed out putting my son to sleep, and left everything on. What originally woke me up was the sound of running foot steps on the sidewalk below my window, and some voices. A few seconds later, shouting, cursing, and lots of bangs and the sound of something breaking made me shoot straight out of bed and look out my window. I saw 3 or 4 guys armed with bats, a cinder block and what I thought was either a knife or a gun run into my next door neighbors backyard. Now, call me stupid, but I know for a fact that he has no firearms, but he does have 3 kids sleeping in there.

The first thing that ran through my mind was home invasion. I figured these guys were breaking in thru his back sliding glass door. I fumbled around for my mag, and got my gun from the case.. ran downstairs and outside with no shoes or shirt on, gun at the ready. By the time I got outside, they had just drove off. Adrenaline is pumping, and as u all know it was freezing cold tonight. Well, everyone heard the commotion and gathered outside. Thru some amateur investigating, we figured out it was this kid from down the street that has been tagging and causing trouble around the area. I guess him and some friends were cruising when they saw somebody they didnt like, and that guy decided to run away and straight thru my neighbors yard and driveway.

In case youre wondering, yes, we did call 911. The police never showed up.

Sorry if this is boring, but its the first time I could have potentially had to save a life with my firearm, and thought I wud share the story here.

[Zartan]

I fumbled around for my mag, and got my gun from the case.. ran downstairs and outside with no shoes or shirt on, gun at the ready

YIKES. Just call 911, don't go outside. Glad nothing came of it though.

[toby]

Neat! but you decided to load your weapon rather than you needed to load your weapon.

[40calibre]

glad nothing came of it too. I'm looking forward to hearing people with more experience to discuss the matter. I would have wanted to do the same thing and do the same thing, but is it legal to go out to the neighbors with your gun to protect them and can you even lend your gun?

[1lostinspace]

I call BS! The police never came... In the movies they are there before you call with guns drawn.
Glad your safe. Its a shame we pay good tax money for guys to dress up in a uniform and police us, write us tickets,but when the SHTF they are nowhere to be found.

[Percenter3]

glad nothing came of it too. I'm looking forward to hearing people with more experience to discuss the matter. I would have wanted to do the same thing and do the same thing, but is it legal to go out to the neighbors with your gun to protect them and can you even lend your gun?

Well, my understanding of CA law is that u can use deadly force to protect yours or anyone elses life.. meaning if u happen to witness someone being raped or bludgeoned to death, u can shoot that person. Correct me if im wrong.

[Percenter3]

I call BS! The police never came... In the movies they are there before you call with guns drawn.
Glad your safe. Its a shame we pay good tax money for guys to dress up in a uniform and police us, write us tickets,but when the SHTF they are nowhere to be found.

Yea its unfortunate. Its almost 4 hours later and no police came by. Everyone has gone back inside already.

[Percenter3]

BTW, I didnt go out doing rolls into the sidewalk like some tacticool mall ninja with my gun pointed out like I was clearing a house. I had my weapon extended, but pointed down, finger off the trigger in a defensive stance. Once I realized they were gone I dropped my mag and pulled the slide back.

[WyattandDoc]

Lots of things to consider. Your actions are to be commended by the way.

Yes, you absolutely have the right to defend yourself and your neighbors with deadly force if they/you are in danger of losing their/your life OR are in danger of Geat bodily Injury.

1st. Have your weapon and mag in a place you can quickly access them in pitch dark. Lots of rigs/holsters out there that can mount underneath beds, against side tables etc. etc that can facilitate this. With a little practice, you will be able to get at it very quickly as it will be in the same spot each time.

2nd. Remember, if your incompetent police agency did respond and saw you, they would immediately think of you as a threat. Think about it. An undressed guy at Zero Dark Thirty holding a gun. This spells drunk domestic dispute or PCP all day long. Also, In your haste to help your neighbor out, you may miss the cop that may have been already chasing these guys, and then you run out with your gun in hand. Could end up being a very bad night for everyone. Just something to think about.

3rd. Make sure YOUR family is safe and secure before taking action.

4th. This morning, you need to call your police agency and ask for the Watch Commander. File a formal complaint and get an answer as to why they didn't show up. This is 100% unacceptable and embarrassing.

Well done, and be safe.

[mikenewgun87]

Glad your safe.....

Someone should of gotten their double barrel shotgun out and let out 2 blast....work for "ole joe"

[VictorFranko]

I fumbled around for my mag

Good thing you really didn't need it.......................

[North Bay Guy]

If I was going out to investigate something suspicious off my property, I'd carry concealed. If I was within my fenced property then I'd be gun in hand. Also think about this, myself and many others use a frame mounted light or light/laser on our HD guns, whenever I have to get up to check on a thump in the night, I always carry a very bright flashlight in my weak hand, even though I have a flashlight mounted to my gun, that way I don't have to muzzle everything I need to light up. I only use my flashlight when it's absolutely needed and in quick flashes. A sturdy flashlight could also be used as a blunt force striking object if needed.

[JDay]

Well, my understanding of CA law is that u can use deadly force to protect yours or anyone elses life.. meaning if u happen to witness someone being raped or bludgeoned to death, u can shoot that person. Correct me if im wrong.

And you witnessed none of that. Unless you know 100% what is going on its best to stay inside, observe and report to the authorities if you feel it's necessary. For all you know you could have seen a cop chasing someone into the neighbors backyard. That's a good way to get yourself shot.

EDIT: A unloaded gun stored separate from the magazine does you no good in an emergency. I keep my 1911 in a holster next to my bed with a full magazine inserted but no round chambered. Should I need it I can have it out and a round chambered in about a second. And there's two full spare magazines in the magazine pouch.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

[diverwcw]

I'm also prone to say contact the police department and make a query as to why they didn't show up. However, I'm sure the watch commander is going to say, "Well they drove by and nothing was happening so they cleared the call." Just goes to show when seconds count the police are minutes away.

[SoldierLife7]

Everyone is so quick to point out that OP should have stayed inside and watched just in case a cop saw him with his gun. Yes that is a risk that he took. Me, I commend OP for his actions. While everyone is "what if-ing" if there was a cop, I'm thinking... What if the guys (who OP observed with deadly weapons) kicked down the neighbors back door, and raped and killed everyone in the house? Then OP would have to live with a decision of inaction. I'd rather go check on my neighbors safety instead of passively sitting inside waiting on the cops (who still haven't shown up)! This MYOB and lack of action because "that's the police's job" makes everyone sound a lot like the people that say "we don't need guns in civilians hands because that's why we have police".

I'm not trying to start an argument...just throwing out some food for thought.