Who needs a gun while working in the yard? A MUST READ

[allingeneral]

From VCDL Newsletter - VCDL member Virginia Griggs writes:

My husband and I both have CHPs and never leave the house without
carrying. Our handguns are with us at all times in the house as well.
And yet, we learned an important lesson two weeks ago.

On June 1st, I was at work and my husband was building me an elevated
garden in our back yard. He heard 15 shots fired and went looking but
could not see any disturbance. About 10 minutes later the dog started
barking, and he was confronted by a man in the back yard who claimed
to be a victim of an attempted robbery. That sounded logical as he had
just heard shots fired. (I will add here our back yard ends on a
freeway and we hear shots fired there weekly.)

The intruder asked to borrow his cell phone to make a call, and he
handed it to the man. He then told the intruder the first thing that
needed to be done was to call 911. Immediately the man panicked and
started saying "Don't call the cops. Please don't call the cops."

RED FLAG time.

My husband immediately went inside to get the portable house phone and
his weapon. (He was not wearing it, as he thought he was safe in our
yard and that guns and power tools don't mix well.) When he got back
outside, the man and the phone were gone. He called 911 and things got
interesting after that. The police caught the man 15 minutes later,
one block over from our place.

We found out that he was one of two men who murdered someone and shot
a police officer (the shots fired he had heard). Because of all that
has happened, my husband will be going to court to testify when the
intruder goes to trial. The police officers who came to investigate
told us both that going armed at all times is smart.

We have learned the hard way that you are not safe, even on your own
property, and now neither of us goes anywhere now without carrying --
including outside to mow the lawn.

[Moccasin]

I've taken to carrying when I mow but not for that reason, I've had 3 copperheads in my yards in the last couple of years. They don't mix well with a 3 year old running around.

I think I scared a preacher off last week while I was mowing. I didn't know him, he was going door to door inviting people to a fish fry at his church. He stared at my gun the whole time he was in the driveway. I told him that unfortunately I had other plans and couldn't attend but would be happy to come to the next one, just let me know when. I'm afraid he won't come back to invite me to the next one now and I'd hate to miss a good fish fry.

[NewColonial]

I always carry when I'm working in the yard. It's one of the times I actually feel most vulnerable, gas-powered equipment noise, ear protection, concentrating on doing task at hand safely... Would have less than usual awareness of approaching trouble, so firearm always at ready.

[Vahunter]

Rarely do I go out of the house without a sidearm.

[gregj]

Good story, and glad it all turned out positive for them.

I think it depends on where you live, neighborhood, etc. I live in a very rural area, there are only 5 houses in our estate, each with 7 to 10 acres. Generally, only people that come up the drive live there, are visiting, or is the UPS/FedEx driver. Only people coming down my drive is the same. Plus we have driveway sensors, home alarm system, etc ( I used to travel some for work, and the wife wanted the alarm system).

About the only time I carry outside is when I think there will be a good possiblity of running across a snake, ground hog, etc. When I get my LCP (one of these days), I expect it will quickly become part of my daily gear.

Thank GOD we moved out of the city years ago.

[Bobtail1911]

Walking the dog in an alley today and behind a new board fence [that 95 percent obscures the space behind it] and there was a barking ferocious pit bull. My dog took off in the other direction and almost took my arm off...Smart dog, but I thought, if this dog jumps the fence some how or if the gate is not latched properly, would he come back to save me? I'm sure he would, but it is nice to know that Pit bull would catch some 45 caliber death if he did break loose.

[NickFac]

Walking the dog in an alley today and behind a new board fence [that 95 percent obscures the space behind it] and there was a barking ferocious pit bull. My dog took off in the other direction and almost took my arm off...Smart dog, but I thought, if this dog jumps the fence some how or if the gate is not latched properly, would he come back to save me? I'm sure he would, but it is nice to know that Pit bull would catch some 45 caliber death if he did break loose.

LOL.

Never leave the house without the .45. It's as important to me as my pants when getting dressed.

[Bobtail1911]

Told the wife that story after it happened and now she thinks I'm less of a Gun Nut, but still a Nut.

[GS78]

From VCDL Newsletter - VCDL member Virginia Griggs writes:

My husband and I both have CHPs and never leave the house without
carrying. Our handguns are with us at all times in the house as well.
And yet, we learned an important lesson two weeks ago.

On June 1st, I was at work and my husband was building me an elevated
garden in our back yard. He heard 15 shots fired and went looking but
could not see any disturbance. About 10 minutes later the dog started
barking, and he was confronted by a man in the back yard who claimed
to be a victim of an attempted robbery. That sounded logical as he had
just heard shots fired. (I will add here our back yard ends on a
freeway and we hear shots fired there weekly.)

The intruder asked to borrow his cell phone to make a call, and he
handed it to the man. He then told the intruder the first thing that
needed to be done was to call 911. Immediately the man panicked and
started saying "Don't call the cops. Please don't call the cops."

RED FLAG time.

My husband immediately went inside to get the portable house phone and
his weapon. (He was not wearing it, as he thought he was safe in our
yard and that guns and power tools don't mix well.) When he got back
outside, the man and the phone were gone. He called 911 and things got
interesting after that. The police caught the man 15 minutes later,
one block over from our place.

We found out that he was one of two men who murdered someone and shot
a police officer (the shots fired he had heard). Because of all that
has happened, my husband will be going to court to testify when the
intruder goes to trial. The police officers who came to investigate
told us both that going armed at all times is smart.

We have learned the hard way that you are not safe, even on your own
property, and now neither of us goes anywhere now without carrying --
including outside to mow the lawn.

Ok, I am not trying to be sarcastic, but where do you live?

[allingeneral]

Where I live isn't relevant to this story. The story was written by someone somewhere else in Virginia. I was just passing it along.

[jadedone4]

OK, after reading the situation above and the other posts in the "OC" section; decided to take the SIG along with me during after-dark walks with the German Shepherd. Figured that at night it would give me holstered use and carry "real-time" association of a firearm on hip (right now using a nylon-rig, testing at 3/4/5 o'clock, for accessibility and comfort). Warm night out, so about 20 or so folks walking around, with dogs, kids, etc.

All in all, the dog got more "looks" than the SIG; which aided in my comfort level in wearing OC'd. Taking the NRA "CHP" class later this month, applying for CCW the day after the training certificate is issued by NRA.

Hope that everyone has a GREAT and SAFE 4th of July; remembering that "Freedom is NEVER free..."

[gfost1]

Howdy,

Just guessing here, but this sounds like the incident that took place in Chesapeake a few weeks ago. The neighborhood is a quiet suburb of middle class homes just off I-64 near the Hi-rise bridge. The perps got into a shootout with LEO's and shut the interstate down for several hours (at rush hour, of course). One officer was wounded.

Bad things happen to good people 'cause the bad guys don't care. A handgun is cheap insurance, but it's worthless if you don't have it with you.

Regards,

George

[VBshooter]

It's a damn shame that things have come this, Can;t even workm in his own yard ,,,My neighborhood used to be quiet and safe , Now I lock the doors and carry just about all the time,,,So much for progress,, I'm a firm beleiver in,,,"better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it",,