idiot neighbour

[Turnup]

I think the OP should let things settle for now. He has raised an objection to the individual and had he replied "So what" it might be different. He was'nt happy to be called out and perhaps this will make him think a bit. It might also be an idea to call on him in a couple of days time when you have cooled a little and first off apologise for getting heated but follow this up with a more tempered discussion of the rghts and wrongs - point out that you are a shooter and while you are sympathetic you don't want to do anything to increase focus on the ownership of airguns.


BTW what do the other neighbours think about this behaviour? Have you discussed it with them?

[Shed tuner]

I think the OP should let things settle for now. He has raised an objection to the individual and had he replied "So what" it might be different. He was'nt happy to be called out and perhaps this will make him think a bit. It might also be an idea to call on him in a couple of days time when you have cooled a little and first off apologise for getting heated but follow this up with a more tempered discussion of the rghts and wrongs - point out that you are a shooter and while you are sympathetic you don't want to do anything to increase focus on the ownership of airguns.


BTW what do the other neighbours think about this behaviour? Have you discussed it with them?

Agreed 100%

[jcr71]

thanks for all the replies people. im not going to report the bloke for it, but i have told him that if i see him out front with his rifle any more i will report him, and i mean it.

I think the OP should let things settle for now. He has raised an objection to the individual and had he replied "So what" it might be different. He was'nt happy to be called out and perhaps this will make him think a bit. It might also be an idea to call on him in a couple of days time when you have cooled a little and first off apologise for getting heated but follow this up with a more tempered discussion of the rghts and wrongs - point out that you are a shooter and while you are sympathetic you don't want to do anything to increase focus on the ownership of airguns.


BTW what do the other neighbours think about this behaviour? Have you discussed it with them?

my partner has spoken to the lady next door, shes not happy seeing the birds shot either. and to be honest, i dont expect anyone else in the street is either.
i cant imagine why you think i should apologise to some idiot who fired a gun into my garden Turnup?

[EricP]

He’s committing armed trespass shooting outside his property. This is an offence that carries a prison sentence.
If he is not reported because of worries about bringing the sport into disrepute, think how much worse it will look when the idiot injures or kills someone and the cops find out the neighbours have been turning a blind eye? In the worse case they could regard the neighbours as accomplices and you all get cautioned at least, which affects your ability to own a weapon.

[jjjohn]

thanks for all the replies people. im not going to report the bloke for it, but i have told him that if i see him out front with his rifle any more i will report him, and i mean it.



my partner has spoken to the lady next door, shes not happy seeing the birds shot either. and to be honest, i dont expect anyone else in the street is either.
i cant imagine why you think i should apologise to some idiot who fired a gun into my garden Turnup?

[micky2]

thanks for all the replies people. im not going to report the bloke for it, but i have told him that if i see him out front with his rifle any more i will report him, and i mean it.



my partner has spoken to the lady next door, shes not happy seeing the birds shot either. and to be honest, i dont expect anyone else in the street is either.
i cant imagine why you think i should apologise to some idiot who fired a gun into my garden Turnup?

I think you are taking the right approach by warning him that you will report him if it happens again. the last thing we airgunners want is for the press to pick up on this. that would do no favours at all. just my view.

[Scott.]

It would seem to me by his denial that he probably thought nobody knew it was him shooting the birds.
I would hope that you challenging him has put the frighteners on him and it won't happen again.

Perhaps obtaining one of the pamphlets that explains the GL and airgun law and putting it through his door might help educate him especially if he's an older man who simply might not be aware the law has changed dramatically from his childhood. (unlikely unless he's just came back to airguns after decades away)

Either way, if it happens again the police absolutely do need to be involved.

Im sure your wife will make it known among the neighbours what happened in your own garden,, just in case some of them know you have a rifle and thought perhaps it was you shooting the birds.

[Turnup]

thanks for all the replies people. im not going to report the bloke for it, but i have told him that if i see him out front with his rifle any more i will report him, and i mean it.



my partner has spoken to the lady next door, shes not happy seeing the birds shot either. and to be honest, i dont expect anyone else in the street is either.
i cant imagine why you think i should apologise to some idiot who fired a gun into my garden Turnup?

I do not know what words and forceful voice you used but I was trying to engineer a means whereby you can open a possibly more constructive dialogue with him. It seems so far that no-one has tried to curtail his activity by simply expressing disapproval and perhaps pointing out the illegal aspects of his behaviour, and it is possible that he is not aware of either aspect. Much more likley to listen and digest a dispassionate approach. particlulary if this is backed up with the disapproval from other locals. You are not apologising for what he did, you are apologising for your reaction as a way to take some heat out of your relationship with him. If he seems indifferent to all this then cartrainly close with a simple and calm statement that shoud there be a repeat of any projectiles leaving his property then you will certainly involve the police and you have the backing of other neighbours.

[Muskett]

I think the OP should let things settle for now. He has raised an objection to the individual and had he replied "So what" it might be different. He was'nt happy to be called out and perhaps this will make him think a bit. It might also be an idea to call on him in a couple of days time when you have cooled a little and first off apologise for getting heated but follow this up with a more tempered discussion of the rghts and wrongs - point out that you are a shooter and while you are sympathetic you don't want to do anything to increase focus on the ownership of airguns.


BTW what do the other neighbours think about this behaviour? Have you discussed it with them?

This in heaps.

An idiot maybe, but even idiots need education, and old dogs especially.
He says it wasn't him. Well between the both of you you can find out who it was All in the course of protecting shooting, which we all love.
Best done over a cup of tea. Lets hope you can come away with a positive outcome.

I just don't get the: "Report the b'stard" mentality. As if we are all perfect. We don't live in some draconian regime where its every neighbours duty to report on their neighbours. The Police will just log it as one more firearm related crime to help them deny us any fun at all.
Airgun pellets should never leave the boundary. What is going on needs stopping, but best done with good argument, and the law is on your side. You are helping him.

[xbow]

I just don't get the: "Report the b'stard" mentality. As if we are all perfect. We don't live in some draconian regime where its every neighbours duty to report on their neighbours. The Police will just log it as one more firearm related crime to help them deny us any fun at all.
Airgun pellets should never leave the boundary. What is going on needs stopping, but best done with good argument, and the law is on your side. You are helping him.

How “perfect” anyone else is has nothing to do with it.

There is a moral duty to report crime.

The police can’t act to protect the public if they don’t know what’s happening.
Waiting until someone gets hurt isn’t an option.

Having said all that, doing the right thing is not always easy.

[Muskett]

How “perfect” anyone else is has nothing to do with it.

There is a moral duty to report crime.

The police can’t act to protect the public if they don’t know what’s happening.
Waiting until someone gets hurt isn’t an option.

Having said all that, doing the right thing is not always easy.

Well everyone following your driving should report you every time you speed.
The police aren't there to protect people. Society protects people by everyone helping each other, and the police are there to help society do that.

The OP isn't waiting, for he is taking some action in a friendly but firm way.

[Muskett]

Turnip's suggestion for the apology isn't to apologise for reacting to the deed, but maybe your initial tone and just a way of reopening the door so a superior educational approach could be used to get the desired result. To stop the guy doing what he is doing.

Escalate it into a war and the next thing is some "neighbour" will have the Police on you for carrying your guns to the car. It all gets stupid too easily.

Turnip and I are just suggesting that there might be an alternative more positive way.

[Shed tuner]

Turnip and I are just suggesting that there might be an alternative more positive way.

Indeed. I think sometimes people need reminding that building some form of constructive dialogue and at least trying to educate the party involved is the more positive way to handle most situations. After all, he is still your neighbour and you all have to live together. Not making excuses for him.

[Maple]

To fire anything above ground level is potentially very dangerous and for him to shoot so indiscriminately would indicate that he is not aware of backstop safety. These types rarely listen to a valid point being made. I would make every effort to stop him.

[Byronic]

Just report the moron.
101 if not happening right now, then 999 when he does it again.
Make it clear that it is an AIRGUN and give full details.
Just my 2d.