Am I vigilant or paranoid? - Page 2

Natureboypkr · July 8th, 2008, 12:47 PM

I don't think you are either. I think you are someone who takes their personal protection in their own hands, especially since you can't rely on LEOs being in so many places at once.

sniper58 · July 8th, 2008, 01:22 PM

+1 for all of the above. Find nothing 99 times. Get complacent and the other 1 time might kill you. Stay alert and ID your target before engaging.

rdoggsilva · July 8th, 2008, 01:30 PM

I still wake up if I hear a noise at night, but I also listen for our dog. If she starts barking then I go check, she is a great home security alarm. Our home is over 100 years old so it does creak alot, or maybe haunted who knows, but that is another story. But trust your gut feelings, one can not be to complacent and be sure of your target.

rachilders · July 8th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

There are a lot of people who are still alive today because they took action when they sensed something was wrong. With your situation where you have 2 or more people in the house and you come in at different times of the night, it is paramount that you identify your target before you fire.

In your second story, where the wife was 'due to be home soon', I don't know how many times my wife has changed her plans and been home when I did not expect it. 99% of the time there is going to be normal explanation for any abnormal noise you hear. You have to balance it so you are ready for that 1% and do not cause a tragedy during the other 99% of the time.

I would not call you paranoid. I would call you prepared, and maybe a little anxious with a wife and new son to protect. Instinctively coming to a crouch/low ready is nothing to be concerned or worried about.

On the other hand, if by instinct you came to low ready, took safety off, and had your finger on the trigger, then that could easily result in a tragedy.

Being prepared is not being paranoid, and even if it was, paranoid people are right some of the time.

Stay safe out there!

+1

Let me emphasize that other people live in the house and there is the potential for a serious (deadly) accident if you "jump the gun" and react before you are 100% sure of your target and ensure that it is a potential BG. Make sure your wife is aware of your reaction to strange noises as well. You need to work out a routine or scenario that you both follow to the letter to avoid accidents if she returns home after you or wakes and finds you're not in the bed at 2 A.M. When your child and/or children are older you'll need to do the same with them.

One other thing, make sure your wife informs anyone that may come home with her at night (like a friend or relative) that they are not to wander your house alone until you are home and you know they are there. It would be a sad day - and not do much for your marriage or standing with the local police either, I'd bet - if you drew down on a member of her family or your wife's best friend because you didn't know they came home with her to see she got home safely... and got shot for their effort.

Moga · July 8th, 2008, 01:38 PM

Situation #1 I relive several times a week, including last night. As rdoggsilva has noted, when the dogs bark, that's when I take action. Especially since my dogs nearly never bark (Bullmastiffs).

Situation #2 I've had happen a couple times also.

I usually take a perimeter check a couple times before bed with a long gun too. Keep in mind I live in a gentrified neighborhood of Atlanta proper.

I vote for vigilant.

goldshellback · July 8th, 2008, 01:42 PM

+1 on being edgy, although paranoid? I doubt it. Stay vigilant and condition yellow. Staring 40 in the face, youve learned most of the adult lessons necassary to function........but being new to marriage and fatherhood......There's a whole new level of life's lessons your about to get slaped in the back of the face with

..............your edgy.
It's all good and your doing fine. Last night my dog just took OFF, jumping off the coutch, hawling' booty out his doggie-door and addressing the back yard fence in his best "I'm NOT happy" bark. My daughter got me out of bed, I had just turned in, and that not being our dogs common night time behavior I went out back with my surefire and G23. Turned out it was nothing.......or was it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gg12

I think you have too much energy. Get yourself a second bambino and you won't be so quick to jump at odd noises.

Now now.........don't be talking like that just yet!

Thumper · July 8th, 2008, 02:15 PM

You know yourself. Neither reaction was over the top to me but... if those incidents happened to me and I reacted as you did, I'd feel that I was a little jumpy!

Rob P. · July 8th, 2008, 02:28 PM

Not knowing your personal need to carry a firearm (beyond self defense) I can't say that you've gone into paranoia. I also can't say that you're reacting properly.

IF you carry only for general self defense, then I'd say that you are very close to the edge of overreacting. Vigilance is not drawing at every little sound even if the noise isn't expected or "normal." Vigilance is being aware of your surroundings and being prepared and ready to draw and defend yourself. There is a difference. You should draw after the threat is known to exist, not just on general principles that there could be a threat.

OTOH, IF you carry for defense against a specific threat, then I'd say that you're reacting properly.

Conrad · July 8th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPony

Call me paranoid, call me jumpy, call me whatever you want but i would rather do what you did 100 times and find out it was nothing than do the opposite just once.

+1, one just never knows. Better safe than sorry.

test drive · July 8th, 2008, 02:37 PM

I think your just VERY alert. nothing wrong with that. "no conscious thought" "pure reaction" no finger on trigger is good. weapon still on safe might not be so good. safety off should be "pure reaction" to drawing in those conditions

July 8th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#11
Natureboypkr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Posts: 1,037	I don't think you are either. I think you are someone who takes their personal protection in their own hands, especially since you can't rely on LEOs being in so many places at once. __________________ V.P. of The Concealed Carrying Boys Thank you Mr. John Browning and Mr. Armani USMC.....helping enemies of America die for their countries since 1775

July 8th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#12
sniper58 Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,234	+1 for all of the above. Find nothing 99 times. Get complacent and the other 1 time might kill you. Stay alert and ID your target before engaging. __________________ Tim BE PREPARED - Noah didn't build the Ark when it was raining! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson ________ NRA Life Member

July 8th, 2008, 01:30 PM	#13
rdoggsilva Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 591	I still wake up if I hear a noise at night, but I also listen for our dog. If she starts barking then I go check, she is a great home security alarm. Our home is over 100 years old so it does creak alot, or maybe haunted who knows, but that is another story. But trust your gut feelings, one can not be to complacent and be sure of your target. __________________ John Steinbeck: Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

July 8th, 2008, 01:38 PM	#15
Moga Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 286	Situation #1 I relive several times a week, including last night. As rdoggsilva has noted, when the dogs bark, that's when I take action. Especially since my dogs nearly never bark (Bullmastiffs). Situation #2 I've had happen a couple times also. I usually take a perimeter check a couple times before bed with a long gun too. Keep in mind I live in a gentrified neighborhood of Atlanta proper. I vote for vigilant. __________________ Dont believe OBAMA: http://www.nraila.org/OBAMA/ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin, 1759. Proud Member of GeorgiaCarry.Org

July 8th, 2008, 02:15 PM	#17
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,517	You know yourself. Neither reaction was over the top to me but... if those incidents happened to me and I reacted as you did, I'd feel that I was a little jumpy! __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

July 8th, 2008, 02:28 PM	#18
Rob P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the sticks Posts: 379	Not knowing your personal need to carry a firearm (beyond self defense) I can't say that you've gone into paranoia. I also can't say that you're reacting properly. IF you carry only for general self defense, then I'd say that you are very close to the edge of overreacting. Vigilance is not drawing at every little sound even if the noise isn't expected or "normal." Vigilance is being aware of your surroundings and being prepared and ready to draw and defend yourself. There is a difference. You should draw after the threat is known to exist, not just on general principles that there could be a threat. OTOH, IF you carry for defense against a specific threat, then I'd say that you're reacting properly.

July 8th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#20
test drive Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SC Posts: 32	I think your just VERY alert. nothing wrong with that. "no conscious thought" "pure reaction" no finger on trigger is good. weapon still on safe might not be so good. safety off should be "pure reaction" to drawing in those conditions

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