The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Brazen farm theft interrupted, shots fired

BillCA · April 3, 2005, 02:25 AM

FastForty,

Good show! Glad that this incident turned out in your favor. Now notify the neighbors -- which you've undoubtedly done -- and make sure your kids are escorted to school or bus both ways and someone is home for them when they arrive, at least for the next 2 weeks.

I'm amazed that they just drove onto your property like it was nothing at all and tried to steal large equipment like that.

Observations:
* There were 4 visible weapons in the front seat of that truck.
* You used a good command "Stop Right There!" is direct and authoritative. I also like "DON"T MOVE" for the same reason.
* Once you have their attention, "Hands in the air!" gets their hands up where you can see them (and any weapons).
* Very good restraint in shooting tires when #2 tried to enter the truck. At that point you should also have been moving in case he was after a gun.
* If these were Hispanics, learn your command phrases in Spanish too.
* Fleeing across a large open field (as depicted in photos) can sometimes be stopped by yelling "Do you want to die?" as it gives them something to think about.
* [Humor] If you'd banged off three more shots into the ground while they were fleeing no doubt they could be caught at a local laundromat washing their undies!

If you encounter someone like this again, get their hands visible immediately. You want their arms stretched over their heads (not half lifted in a "surrender" position). This puts their hands away from their bodies and where you can see what's in them. It also lifts any jacket away from the waistline. Order them to drop anything in their hands. The ground will hold it until its retreived later. If you see a weapon, tell the bearer if he reaches for it, he will be shot - repeatedly.

With them in 'hands up' position, tell them "Don't Move" again. Quickly tell them "Do exactly what I tell you to do and don't move until I tell you to 'Do It NOW!" Then the next order of business is to get them onto the ground, face down, arms outstretched, palms up and feet crossed at the ankles. Keep them looking away from you too.

After thought:
It's a good thing the kids didn't come into the scene to see what was happening! Teach your kids that if they hear gunfire in a situation like that (outside by the barn) to get inside the house and notify an adult. If you have a nearby trusted neighbor they can go there too, to get help on the way.

April 3, 2005, 02:25 AM	#6
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	FastForty, Good show! Glad that this incident turned out in your favor. Now notify the neighbors -- which you've undoubtedly done -- and make sure your kids are escorted to school or bus both ways and someone is home for them when they arrive, at least for the next 2 weeks. I'm amazed that they just drove onto your property like it was nothing at all and tried to steal large equipment like that. Observations: * There were 4 visible weapons in the front seat of that truck. * You used a good command "Stop Right There!" is direct and authoritative. I also like "DON"T MOVE" for the same reason. * Once you have their attention, "Hands in the air!" gets their hands up where you can see them (and any weapons). * Very good restraint in shooting tires when #2 tried to enter the truck. At that point you should also have been moving in case he was after a gun. * If these were Hispanics, learn your command phrases in Spanish too. * Fleeing across a large open field (as depicted in photos) can sometimes be stopped by yelling "Do you want to die?" as it gives them something to think about. * [Humor] If you'd banged off three more shots into the ground while they were fleeing no doubt they could be caught at a local laundromat washing their undies! If you encounter someone like this again, get their hands visible immediately. You want their arms stretched over their heads (not half lifted in a "surrender" position). This puts their hands away from their bodies and where you can see what's in them. It also lifts any jacket away from the waistline. Order them to drop anything in their hands. The ground will hold it until its retreived later. If you see a weapon, tell the bearer if he reaches for it, he will be shot - repeatedly. With them in 'hands up' position, tell them "Don't Move" again. Quickly tell them "Do exactly what I tell you to do and don't move until I tell you to 'Do It NOW!" Then the next order of business is to get them onto the ground, face down, arms outstretched, palms up and feet crossed at the ankles. Keep them looking away from you too. After thought: It's a good thing the kids didn't come into the scene to see what was happening! Teach your kids that if they hear gunfire in a situation like that (outside by the barn) to get inside the house and notify an adult. If you have a nearby trusted neighbor they can go there too, to get help on the way. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)