Harassment

abkenyon · July 2015

I decided to go for a short walk last night around 9:30pm. We live in one of the better neighborhoods in a better county so I thought nothing of walking down the street (8 houses) to the stop sign and back to get a short 1/2 mile walk in to maybe help me settle down for the night. I didn't take my phone like I usually do for music because I was just going to be gone for maybe 15 minutes. I also don't carry while walking the neighborhood as I usually do on a daily basis. About 4 houses down there were several boys out playing basketball in a driveway. I didn't think anything of it since the neighborhood is filled with kids. One or more of the teenage boys started making nasty comments (hey so-in-so how's your pull out game? and clearly she down to $#!&). I ignored them and kept walking, boys will be boys, no need to get all mama bear on them. Well another house down I hear skateboards behind me and the voices are not getting quieter. In fact they had left their driveway and were coming up behind me on scooters and skateboards still making comments. I started to freak out because I didn't know these boys and hadn't really seen any kids at the house they were at before. I knew the neighbors would be home just one house away from where I was so I kept walking and turned down their driveway as the boys passed me on the street. I knocked on the door and thankfully the husband was home. I asked to use their phone to call my husband to come get me and I must have been more shaken than I thought because the husband got very protective and concerned right away. Once I told him what happened he offered to walk me home. Once we got back down the street (there are 5 houses between his and mine) he was pretty worked up and said he was going to walk the neighborhood and find the boys to talk to them. He is an FBI agent so I knew it wasn't going to be a nice talk either. Well I went in and told my husband what happened and he jumped out of bed, grabbed his gun and was out the door to walk with the neighbor. After about an hour my husband came back with 3 of the boys and one of their dads. Apparently two of the boys admitted to making the comments although one was clearly the instigator. The dad was furious, his wife is a NICU nurse and started yelling at the boys when she found out I was 6 months pregnant. My husband explained to them that had something happened to the baby they would be held responsible and that they were getting off lucky with a lecture and having to apologize because the night could have ended much differently had I been carrying like usual or had my husband been with me at the time it happened and not 30 minutes later when he found out. I didn't sleep much last night and am still rattled today. WTF is with kids today?! Clearly the parents were angry when they found out so hopefully the boys think before they make nasty comments like that to anyone again.

bbiutmcph · July 2015

abkenyon said:

I decided to go for a short walk last night around 9:30pm. We live in one of the better neighborhoods in a better county so I thought nothing of walking down the street (8 houses) to the stop sign and back to get a short 1/2 mile walk in to maybe help me settle down for the night. I didn't take my phone like I usually do for music because I was just going to be gone for maybe 15 minutes. I also don't carry while walking the neighborhood as I usually do on a daily basis. About 4 houses down there were several boys out playing basketball in a driveway. I didn't think anything of it since the neighborhood is filled with kids. One or more of the teenage boys started making nasty comments (hey so-in-so how's your pull out game? and clearly she down to $#!&). I ignored them and kept walking, boys will be boys, no need to get all mama bear on them. Well another house down I hear skateboards behind me and the voices are not getting quieter. In fact they had left their driveway and were coming up behind me on scooters and skateboards still making comments. I started to freak out because I didn't know these boys and hadn't really seen any kids at the house they were at before. I knew the neighbors would be home just one house away from where I was so I kept walking and turned down their driveway as the boys passed me on the street. I knocked on the door and thankfully the husband was home. I asked to use their phone to call my husband to come get me and I must have been more shaken than I thought because the husband got very protective and concerned right away. Once I told him what happened he offered to walk me home. Once we got back down the street (there are 5 houses between his and mine) he was pretty worked up and said he was going to walk the neighborhood and find the boys to talk to them. He is an FBI agent so I knew it wasn't going to be a nice talk either. Well I went in and told my husband what happened and he jumped out of bed, grabbed his gun and was out the door to walk with the neighbor. After about an hour my husband came back with 3 of the boys and one of their dads. Apparently two of the boys admitted to making the comments although one was clearly the instigator. The dad was furious, his wife is a NICU nurse and started yelling at the boys when she found out I was 6 months pregnant. My husband explained to them that had something happened to the baby they would be held responsible and that they were getting off lucky with a lecture and having to apologize because the night could have ended much differently had I been carrying like usual or had my husband been with me at the time it happened and not 30 minutes later when he found out. I didn't sleep much last night and am still rattled today. WTF is with kids today?! Clearly the parents were angry when they found out so hopefully the boys think before they make nasty comments like that to anyone again.

I am not saying what the boys did was ok, it's not. But all the comments about carrying and how the night would have went differently if you had been are really making me uneasy. And I am a gun owner myself.

adcoxmt · July 2015

Ugh, what a mess. Immature kids it sounds like, but at that hour it's very concerning and intimidating. Guess you'll have to start carrying even to walk down the street, sheesh! I'm glad you have such a great neighbor and husband to protect you too! I'm sorry you had to deal with those kids' rude comments.

swcm · July 2015

That is so disappointing to feel harassed in your own neighborhood, especially since you live in a nice area!

My current neighborhood is not-so-great, so honestly I avoid walking in my neighborhood anymore. It makes me sad that I have to go to a park with my husband instead.

I hope you don't have that issue and everything gets back to normal and you can go on some nice relaxing walks soon!!! It sounds like you have some nice neighbors looking out for you!

SweetnSassy23 · July 2015

The comments about "living in a nice area" are what bother me. I'm glad the kids were caught and the parents handled the situation responsible. I think it's ludicrous to take a gun on a 15 minute walk.

MirandaC1984 · July 2015

Yeah, I agree the kids were being little pricks.. that's what teenagers do. It's not acceptable and it sounds like the parents handled it. I don't really understand the feeling threatened to the point of mentioning your weapon? You're going to pull a weapon on a kid for saying something lewd? Tell them to grow up and grow a pair and go on your way.

CupcakesRamazing · July 2015

So you would shoot a child for making a comment? Yikes

bbiutmcph · July 2015

SweetnSassy23 said:

The comments about "living in a nice area" are what bother me. I'm glad the kids were caught and the parents handled the situation responsible. I think it's ludicrous to take a gun on a 15 minute walk.

Exactly!

I actually live in a really bad city. It has daily SWAT TEAM drug busts. We moved here several years ago for a job and are hoping to be moved within the next few months. While our little couple of blocks is nice the remainder of the city has really gotten bad. I also am a gun owner and I have a pistol permit. THat being said my gun is locked our bedroom. I have zero business carrying it around in the public. I do not approve of people thinking they need to "carry" anywhere they go. The gun range and shooting ranges are appropriate places to take my gun, but I still transport it in a locked safe. Walking down the street and carrying on a daily basis is appropriate for law enforcement not someone taking a walk.

Krysta6 · July 2015

I think the comments that were made to you probably felt like threats of violence. If I felt threatened with violence I would probably also wish I had a weapon. Your body probably physically responded in a way that said you were in danger (and I believe you were). I'm glad you are okay and that the boys were found and told that this is not okay. I hope that you start to feel safe again without having to carry a weapon for a short walk or maybe carry pepper spray instead.

abkenyon · July 2015

A gun is absolutely no use if it is unloaded or locked in a case. I am not saying I would have pulled or even shown my gun to the teens however I would have felt much safer knowing it was loaded and in my reach had they walked up behind me to approach me instead of following me and riding past when I turned down someones driveway. It would not have taken but seconds for one of those teens to over power me and if you watch the news you can let your imagination run wild with what they could have done. While I appreciate that things ended well last night it could have been worse for me or them. Given the choice I would rather fair better over the aggressors. I won't be walking alone or sitting outside for awhile for my own nerves. The neighborhood association has also been notified so everyone is reminded to be a little more aware.

abkenyon · July 2015

CupcakesRamazing said:

So you would shoot a child for making a comment? Yikes

I never said I would have shot or even pulled my weapon on anyone last night. However if the situation had escalated, yes I would have been forced to choose and I will choose to defend myself and my child in every situation.

CupcakesRamazing · July 2015

abkenyon said:

CupcakesRamazing said:

So you would shoot a child for making a comment? Yikes

I never said I would have shot or even pulled my weapon on anyone last night. However if the situation had escalated, yes I would have been forced to choose and I will choose to defend myself and my child in every situation.

But you said in your OP that "the night could have ended very differently had I been carrying like usual"

I inferred here that you would have shot them

bbiutmcph · July 2015

abkenyon said:

A gun is absolutely no use if it is unloaded or locked in a case. I am not saying I would have pulled or even shown my gun to the teens however I would have felt much safer knowing it was loaded and in my reach had they walked up behind me to approach me instead of following me and riding past when I turned down someones driveway. It would not have taken but seconds for one of those teens to over power me and if you watch the news you can let your imagination run wild with what they could have done. While I appreciate that things ended well last night it could have been worse for me or them. Given the choice I would rather fair better over the aggressors. I won't be walking alone or sitting outside for awhile for my own nerves. The neighborhood association has also been notified so everyone is reminded to be a little more aware.

The fact you kept mentioning the weapon in your OP is what made me feel uneasy and appear you would have pulled or worse shot at them. The bolded is why so many people have issues with guns. I have a gun and you can believe if someone came into my house I would defend myself and my kids. I don't believe I need to carry my gun with me other places. Like I said I live in a bad city. When I have to go places I do so during the day and my phone is with me at times as well I let my DH know via text what I am doing and if he needs anything. I don't think having people have guns is the answer to anything. I'm certainly not naive and I see and hear horror stories on a daily basis which is why I try to be smart about my choices and what I am doing. I have kids, having a loaded gun on me is more dangerous and more likely to result in an accident than needing it to protect my life.

Edit : cut off some of my response

That being said from your story it sounds like your neighbors and the parents of the teens were very much involved and heaven forbid something should have happened people were there. I deal with obnoxious teens all the time in our area. Just a couple weeks ago several teens were harassing an older gentleman in our area. You can bet your ass I got verbal and called the police and made sure they didn't leave the area. not once did I think "Man if only I was carrying" It's not my job to make choices when to pull a gun on someone in a public area.

swcm · July 2015

Totally missed the gun references in this thread. I'm not a gun owner and just read and responded to sympathize with feeling unsafe or uncomfortable walking down your own block, which is sad to me. Glad everyone's OK, hopefully nothing like this happens again.

elmann1 · July 2015

I live on the south side of Chicago, we are one of the biggest murder capitals and have tons of gun violence. I carry mase with me when I commute, that's it. I've been harassed but it never crossed my mind to want to possible murder the person who's harassing me. Not worth it. This is totally my opinion but I dont know the significance of carrying a loaded gun while I walk around the hood and it making me feel safer. sure, having one at home to protect your family is understandable. I feel like, here, they'd fight you FOR the gun and use it against you if they don't already have one.

aleecats · July 2015

Okay maybe this is just cause im closer in age to those boys (I'm 19 and you said they were younger teenish) but... For real? A gun? I get that having any sort of sexual remark shouted at you can make you uncomfortable but from what you said they said nothing they said was even remotely threatening or insulated that they wanted to in any way shape or form harm you...
And I'm big on anti-guns, I think everyone has a right to own one and should if that makes them feel safe but those people need to be responsible and personally saying you'd use a gun on a kid cause they're being stupid is... Well not responsible. I live in the 10th safest town in America, and the 4th snobbiest, and even here I get hooted and hollered at walking down the street. Stupid guys yell shit at girls from they're cars or waking past them on the street all the time and I've heard A LOT worse than "how's your pull up game?" And "hey she looks DTF". I either flick Em off, or tell them to fuck off and they laugh and high five and everyone moves on but to say that it made you so unsafe you'd wished you'd had your gun you is extremely excessive.

vamomtobe · July 2015

It's really awful that you were in a position where you felt threatened. I don't know what is wrong with some kids, harassing a pregnant woman, really?? It sounds like you have a close-knit neighborhood and it's great that you could pop into a neighbor's house. The immediate reaction to go grab guns in order to "talk" though, that scares me. Bringing a gun into a heated situation where your husband is feeling very protective and you are ready to do all you can to protect your child? So over the top and dangerous.

It sounds like the situation was handled just fine (and appropriately, minus the implied threats of "how things might have turned out") by talking to the parents and the boys, and hopefully they'll be leaving you alone in the future.

FirstTimeMamaAricka · July 2015

Seriously wtf is wrong with people, i had to deal with something similar today. i walk every day and have never had an issue. well as many of you know bra's suck right now so i opted for wearing my sports bra and hubby t shirt. i am clearly still pregnant in it and i have a pixie cut. so apparently some kids (older teenagers) thought it would be funny to harass me and started yelling out their car window "put a bra on you fu**ing dike" then turned around to follow me more. luckily i walked faster and was near a neighbor that was outside so they drove off and didnt come back but I'm in a good neighborhood for the most part and i just don't get why people think thats ok.

DeeGreer · July 2015

I'm glad the situation was handled without getting a gun. I sleep next to my .40 Smith and Wesson but I hope I never have to use it. I don't think that situation should have brought on the thought of bringing a gun. I live in Atlanta, GA and have never thought to bring my gun when I go for a walk.

FirstTimeMamaAricka · July 2015

i would also like to add that people must not realize how other people are with guns. I and my hubby had a gun pulled on us because someone almost hit our car and they were pissed. I would feel safer carrying one as well. i don't care what age the person is they know better than to follow and harass another person. I know you obviously would not have shot them without being attacked but having it would be a comfort given all the horrible things that happen to pregnant women. regardless of the persons age. teenagers attack people all the time and it isn't right for you to be shamed for carrying a weapon. its your right to protect yourself from anyone. i don't have a gun but i do carry a knife with me even if i go for a 10 minute walk. regardless of whether something happens or not it could. whether it be a person or a strange dog that tries to attack i at least feel safer and thats what matters.

mrsdhouse89 · July 2015

I think Some of you ladies are missing the point. She's not going to shoot them over verbal harassment, but she has every right if they physically start harassing her. They had no reason to follow her after making those comments if they weren't trying to intimidate her. I feel they should have been warned because what if the next person they harass is an idiot that decides to shoot them? Now they are aware of the potential consequences of their actions.

I am a gun owner and I would carry if I wasn't worried about my four year old getting a hold of it, since I am, it stays locked up. My neighbor carries everywhere he goes, it's a preference for some people and if you are smart about it then there should be no problem.

Edit: missed a few words

carlymarie021 · July 2015

I agree with @mrsdhouse89. the situation didn't need use of a gun. (Thankfully). No matter what neighborhood you live in you never know. I'm not a gun owner. But if the boys would have attacked her.. I'm sure she would of wished she had carried it. It's a touchy subject. There are ways to use a weapon without murder. Shots in leg, arms. Foot. You better believe I'd defend myself if I were being attacked. But considering they kept their distance from her and didn't run after her she wouldn't need to use her weapon by them yelling verbal garbage. She needs to carry a cell phone at all times though. Firm believer in not leaving the house on a walk alone without one. Some people who own guns are not careful. Careful I mean not locking the weapon and keeping it away from children. But we do have the right to bare arms. So therefore she does too. I don't blame her for feeling this way. It dosnt have to result in murder. You can deter them if they came after her by shooting in air maybe they will run. Or shoot one of them in leg if it had to be done. Hopefully she knows these tactics... Unfortunately some of ur police force does not. But that's another debate...... I hope all of us stay safe and be wise when we're alone.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

Glad to live in Canada where carrying a gun is ILLEGAL ! Unless your a police officer (: !

Sbrouwer0706 · July 2015

I think the way you handled the situation was the right way to go about it but I am not sure that the way your husband went about it was the proper way. While I agree it is absolutely important to find the kids and hold them responsible for their actions. You can be stern without threatening that if you had been carrying or he had been there it would have ended differently. I can't say my husband would act much differently but I think that is what a lot of posters are concerned about.

A verbal threat doesn't warrant a physical threat. That is how things get out of hand and people get hurt.

This is also coming from a gun owner. While I do not carry, my husband and I own several rifles and shotguns for sporting reasons and home protection. A gun is a responsibility and I hope from your comment about "a gun being no use if it isn't loaded or is locked in a case" that you do have safety precautions at your home with a child on the way. My husband has taught me to be able to access and load my shotgun in under a minute. While it would be ideal if I could access it in no time, that means other people could access it in no time as well.

jenn2132 · July 2015

I would definitely have been angry if I'd been harassed by those snot nosed teens but knowing myself I'd have probably mouthed off to them back and kept walking. The problem is you don't really know how these kids are raised and what they could do in certain situations so I can understand your emotions in that moment. I work around teens every day and there have been times I have had to reprimand kids and some get very mouthy and defensive and when things escalate it does cross my mind that they could get aggressive with me. When I was in high school I witnessed a fight between a student and a teacher and it was seriously one of the worst things I had ever seen! This poor teacher got the crap beat out of him by this kid while a ton of students looked on watching. I remember how much it upset me. Even on the playground if I ask a child please to not throw sand or cuss some will mouth off and these kids are elementary age! Despite all that I personally wouldn't feel comfortable carrying a gun but mase or a kubatan on a keychain perhaps a better option? I think my husband would have no problem putting those kids in their place and I think you did the right thing in telling their parents, good to hear the parents did not support that behavior.

naka92 · July 2015

I have to say im highly uncomfortable with the way carrying a gun was so casually brought up in the OP as if its the most normal idea to carry a loaded weapon in case some teens say smartass things. That really rubs me the wrong way.

Im glad things ended well though, but some teens saying stuff and following.. Id not see that warranting violence or even the thought of violence.

@amberrmariee20 Can I come love on Canada? My European ways of thinking about guns get me so worried here sometimes.. I never have and never will see why having a gun made available so easily to the public is a "safe" idea.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

@MelMel92 yes come to Canada (: ! No carrying guns here "legally".

VioletandRose · July 2015

I have lived and worked in a large city for many years. Anyone who lives in a city knows that cat calls and comments from scumbags are a regular part of life. You either laugh it off, ignore them or tell them where to shove it. (Although I haven't really gotten any while visibly pregnant, so I do think the kids in the OP's story are especially disgusting.) I get that the OP lives in her quiet little suburban bubble, but hello common sense! Never would I think about pulling a gun on anyone for a sexual comment! I live and work in nice neighborhoods, but the nature of living in the city means carrying mace and/or a knife at times. To be used when someone approaches me in a threatening manner -- not on someone I can run away from! I am of the "European" mindset on guns. I don't like them. My fiancée is not; he is a proud (and responsible) gun owner and does have a carry permit. He keeps guns in the house for security purposes. If someone breaks into our home he WILL shoot them. I can assure you he would not pull a gun on a teenager or neighbor who made a lewd comment to me in passing. (He might beat the sh*t out of him though...)

wildbutterfli2001 · July 2015

I think the op is being chastised by alot of people about her gun. Idk how many of you watch the news, but bad things happen everywhere for any reason. There are a ton of people who have no value for human life and have no quams putting someone to death for kicks.

That being said I think what she was trying to say is that she would have felt safer, more comfortable having it with her. She didn't know the intentions of the second set of people she encountered. Not the rude ones playing ball, but the ones with skateboards. A skateboard can be used as a weapon.

This day in age you never know what will happen. She never once said that she would shoot a child/threaten a child for saying something mean.

carlymarie021 · July 2015

@Wildbutterfli2001 is right. It's totally not what she means at all.

savsimon · July 2015

Couldn't agree more with @wildbutterfli2001 obviously she wasn't going to just shoot a child on a whim because he bad mouthed her. But if someone was following me in the dark saying threatening things I would sure as hell wish I had my gun on me for protection. I would be terrified. I think the point she was trying to get across was she was scared and would've felt safer if she could protect herself if that was necessary.

babykitcat · July 2015

I read carry as in carry a phone! Like phone someone to come get her, help her. Guns terrify me!! As precious posters stated - Im proud to be a canadian. Guns are illegal here!

Knottie96391996 · July 2015

The kids could have been a lot worse and if need be you may have needed a weapon. I've learned to always carry, even in a good neighborhood. (I live in one of the best areas in the country and still carry to take my trash out). Glad nothing worse happened to you!

KLopez33 · July 2015

Glad you guys are proud to be Canadian ... I'm proud to be American. I'm proud that we still have the basic fundmental right to own and carry.

I get what the OP was saying. She wasn't saying she would shoot them, but that having a gun on her would have made her feel safer had things escalated to a point she needed it. All it takes is someone to sit and watch the news for five minutes to see that the bad guy isn't dressed in clothes that say hey it's me I'm the bad person.

Heck a police office in uniform on duty shot an unarmed man in the back as he fled in South Carolina.

mrsdhouse89 · July 2015

Anyone who hasn't been raised or taught how to handle a weapon I can understand not being comfortable around them, however, that doesn't give you the right to criticize those who like them or who have been trained to handle them.

I was raised around them and taught to respect them, I feel safer knowing i have one in my home to protect my family.

It doesn't make us bad people for enjoying guns. When I'm not pregnant my husband and I shoot at a range (too dangerous while pregnant - lead), we shoot hand Guns and high powered rifles. We aren't weirdos for enjoying it - it's a different form of sport just like those who enjoy playing golf. Nothing wrong with it as long as it's done safe and smart.

Luccie · July 2015

So, you are too much of a coward to tell a bunch of teenagers to "Fvck off," but have no problem showing them your gun? I think there were about 20 things between walking away in silence and using a firearm for protection that are missing.

I'm sorry, but I must be missing something here. So screaming for help, yelling at them, using a whistle, using mace or pepper spray if they physically approached, or running away would not be adequate responses to a such an insignficant, albeit disconcerting, situation.

BRIANNAT711 · July 2015

It may be just me but it feels a bit like OP is getting a little attacked here. I can sympathize with your feelings of threatened and uncomfortable. I too live in a very nice neighborhood and have taken many walks at night. I do not take these walks alone, I either take them with my husband or dog and I will carry pepper spray or mase. I leave my 40 caliber Beretta on my nightstand where I feel like I should use it during a home invasion and that is the only instance that I feel warrants me using my weapon. Any other situation, can and should be handled by police.
You did say your neighbor was an FBI agent and he went with your husband to look for the kids, was the agent carrying when he went out? Why did your husband feel like he had to grab his gun to go with law enforcement to look for these kids? I agree that the situation could have been very different if you were carrying but I'm not sure any of those scenarios would have been better. I don't know the law where you live, but here where I live we do have "stand your ground" laws which means legally I could've shot and killed those kids because I felt threatened, but are some lewd comments worth taking a life? You are expecting right now and to all us bumpers m, our babies are our universe, but those babies will be teenagers one day and may say stupid stuff to someone, how would you feel if one of those boys were your son and the lady shot them? It seems like at least three of the boys come from decent homes with parents who care, which seems to be similar to you and your DH so imagining your kid did this in 16 years shouldn't be too far-fetched. Would it be worth it for your son to die, Not because he threatened this lady harm but because he made an untoward comment? I wouldn't be ok with that.
As a gun owner, I am NOT questioning your right to carry, I am questioning how you determine what is a good scenario to pull your gun. Just as we have "stand your ground", we have laws against "criminal threats" which means: boys say stupid comment, you flash gun, they go running home crying to mom/dad. Mom and dad call cops and you could get arrested for criminal intimidation because, I think we can all agree, sticks and stones... Also, what if you DH did the same thing while he was out looking for them, would it be worth it for him to be in jail during this very difficult and emotional time in your life where you need him most?
It just doesn't seem worth it. I understand you are scared and I would be too. In the future perhaps you should bring pepper spray, or something to make you feel safer but that doesn't administer deadly force. Just like you would do anything for the child you are carrying, remember, those kids are someone's child too.

I wish you the best and congratulations on your baby! Blessings!

BRIANNAT711 · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:
I agree with @mrsdhouse89. the situation didn't need use of a gun. (Thankfully). No matter what neighborhood you live in you never know. I'm not a gun owner. But if the boys would have attacked her.. I'm sure she would of wished she had carried it. It's a touchy subject. There are ways to use a weapon without murder. Shots in leg, arms. Foot. You better believe I'd defend myself if I were being attacked. But considering they kept their distance from her and didn't run after her she wouldn't need to use her weapon by them yelling verbal garbage. She needs to carry a cell phone at all times though. Firm believer in not leaving the house on a walk alone without one. Some people who own guns are not careful. Careful I mean not locking the weapon and keeping it away from children. But we do have the right to bare arms. So therefore she does too. I don't blame her for feeling this way. It dosnt have to result in murder. You can deter them if they came after her by shooting in air maybe they will run. Or shoot one of them in leg if it had to be done. Hopefully she knows these tactics... Unfortunately some of ur police force does not. But that's another debate...... I hope all of us stay safe and be wise when we're alone.

Where I live, you can't invoke the "stand your ground" defense if you shoot someone in the leg. In order to prove you were in fear of your life, you have to be shooting to kill not shooting to warn or disarm. If she did that here, she would do real prison time. Even shooting in the air as a warning shot is illegal, it's call "negligent discharge of a weapon." Look up the case of Marissa Alexander, she was sentenced to 20 years for firing a warning shot at an abusive husband who threatened to kill her. I believe she was just released from prison this week. Her case was in FL, I don't live i FL but I live somewhere with very similar gun laws. So hopefully OP knows the gun laws where she lives. Basically, here you only shoot to kill or you don't pull your gun at all. Obviously I mean civilians, not law enforcement.

anorthro · July 2015

I don't own and gun and have no desire to, but I do shoot them at ranges for fun, and I can understand why people would want to have them. I think what bothered most people about the OP's post is the "the night could've ended much differently had I been carrying" part. Even if it wasn't intended, it sounds like a threat. It sounds like "I might have shot those boys if I'd had my gun and felt threatened." Personally, I wouldn't feel responsible enough to own a gun if I thought that I might fire at a bunch of boys for making lewd comments. And the idea of feeling threatened makes me uneasy, too. What does that mean? Does it mean that you feel uncomfortable and unsafe? Or that your life is in imminent danger? And how do you separate real from perceived danger - I bet that varies quite a bit depending on your background, mental health, etc.

Anyway, I'm sorry that the OP had to go through this whole ordeal. It's very unsettling and upsetting to be harassed, even by a group of young boys. No woman should have to deal with that shit. I'm glad the boys got called out, too.

carlymarie021 · July 2015

The OP means in a scenario that her life is threatened should she carry her gun with her. Not to shoot teenage boys. Maybe she should have been more specific. But yes she has the right to carry her weapon. @BRIANNAT711 I'm not a gun owner. I honestly didn't take that into consideration the shoot to kill law. Yes I hope she knows as well. I guess that shows why I don't own a gun. I would just shoot in leg and run away. Although I think it would be very hard to prosecute a pregnant women who was being attacked but you never know. I stand by what I say as far as her right to carry.

MamaOwl15 · July 2015

I'm just wondering why it makes any difference what neighborhood/part of town you live in. I live in a pretty rough area/neighborhood, where it's not uncommon to hear gunshots and I know there's at least one drug dealer living in the next building over because he makes no effort to hide his activity.

Yet in the year and a half I've lived here, no one has ever bothered me, except my hypocritical downstairs neighbors, (who can't handle the sounds of a nail being hammered into a wall despite the fact that they blast music at all hours). I've never felt like I had to fear my neighbors, though I don't usually go out after dark except to go to the gym.
However, in the much "nicer" neighborhood I lived in several years ago, a guy who lived one block over murdered his girlfriend, in their home.

Oh and Trayvon Martin was shot in a gated community.

Just saying, situations like the OP described can happen anywhere, even in nice suburban subdivisions.

Want a personalized experience?

Harassment

Re: Harassment

Choose Another Board

Search Boards