As I started walking up my long driveway to see what was happening, the five police officers were coming towards me, already on my property, approaching my house. From a distance they ordered me to put my hands out where they could see them, and as they got nearer, asked if I was carrying any weapons. I said no. Two of them were carrying AR-15's. They asked me if I had been firing guns. I told them that we had been shooting clays in the backyard. "What kind of guns were you shooting?" "Shotguns". At that point they ordered me to put my hands on my head and submit to a "pat-down". They saw my son, (17 years old) standing by the house, ordered him to walk down the driveway, and proceeded to search him in the same manner...Notwithstanding that the snitch neighbors could have gotten people killed, assuming they are ignorant of local customs as opposed to malevolant, I'd give 'em one chance to establish cordial relations by inviting them to a backyard shoot. If that didn't work, I'd have a lawyer put them and the police on notice that harassment against lawful activities will not be tolerated, and that restitution for injuries resulting from same will be vigorously pursued.
The Mundelein officer, explained to me that the complainant, a remote rear neighbor, had reported "gunshots fired", ( I would characterize it a case of yuppy-itis, irrational fear of guns).
I'm sure some will have more colorful suggestions, particularly if the yuppies remain militantly unrepentant, but that would only be playing into the hands of those who wish to provoke an emotional outburst rather than a reasoned response...
[Via HZ]
Scary
ReplyDeleteOne day I sat on my deck using prairie dogs as targets. They were using my back yard as a digging ground. And yes, it is legal.
ReplyDeleteKnowing my neighbors, I called the local sheriff before starting. I told them that if they got a 'shots fired' call, the fence gate was unlocked. They were welcome to come around and join me. The person taking the called laughed.