Christmas excitement

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I'm pretty baffled by this whole thread, as Spexx has come down very clearly on the side of gun control in numerous different threads. I would never in a million years have guessed that you would give your son a BB gun for Christmas, Spexx.

I hope that I've communicated that I have issues with handguns, not hunting rifles or shotguns. My son and his cousins and friends shoot each other with these - they sting but don't injure, and they MUST wear eye protection. I might have had some concern, had I been consulted, but my wife made the purchase without consultation.

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

It seems like you handled the police encounter the best you could, and that the boy knows better from now on. But I think suing the cops would be unwarranted, personally. They treated you like criminals at first, it's true, which wasn't very nice. But in the end no one was wrongly arrested, and after all only a few cops responded to the call.

I have no plans to sue. As I said

if there had been a home invasion, the cops behaved in a way that protected themselves and ensured that my family was not being threatened.

It was just a very scary situation.

[Undertoad]

with hindsight and time

The cop reponded with "COME ALL THE WAY OUTSIDE",

(with calm) "Sir, there's no need to address me so harshly. I've explained the situation. I'll come out there and discuss it with you, but we're going to speak civilly so the situation doesn't escalate, because as I've explained, if I'm guessing why you're here, it's a toy gun."

One cop stays with me (and the dog) outside and the other (the yeller) went into my house, still with his handgun out.

"Officer, you have just entered my house without my permission." (to other cop watching me) "Please observe that I did not give permission."

The yelling cop brought him outside and yelled "PUT YOUR HANDS AGAINST THE WALL", which he did.

"Officer, you are acting irresponsibly. This is my house and no crimes have been committed. I am requesting that you leave the premises immediately."

[skysidhe]

Not to mention putting the gun to his head.

When cops use their position to teach moral authority, it really is an ugly thing to behold.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

Not to mention putting the gun to his head.

Nonononono. They did NOT put a gun to his head. Yeller held the Airsoft gun vertically, close to his face. Not pointing at him, and not his real gun.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

with hindsight and time

Yeah. I was concentrating on not inciting any violence. And not shitting my pants.

[skysidhe]

well, ok but your original post ....my mistake

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Yeah. I was concentrating on not inciting any violence. And not shitting my pants.

Good move, you did well in a bad situation. Not suing is also a good move, but I would have a talk with the chief of police. Tell him what happened, from your perspective, and suggest he talk with his officers about their procedures. If he get snotty, then a written letter of complaint to his boss would not be out of order. Nothing is more dangerous than a scared cop.

[Sundae]

As other people have said (most succinctly UT) without hindsight or time, you did the best you could.

I don't live in a gun culture (although there are some places in this country where they exist despite being illegal) so I simply could not imagine this kind of scenario.
So perhaps my expected reaction of lying on the floor whimpering is not easily translatable.
But the whole idea of this scenario terrifies me.

Sadly, like others have said, your son has had a useful lesson pounded home in a very frightening way. Happy New year!

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Sadly, like others have said, your son has had a useful lesson pounded home in a very frightening way. Happy New year!

Frightening, but memorable. Kid's gonna be a lot smarter from here on out.