I know I wasn’t the author of that statement....I believe that belongs to post #54.

That said, if by ‘insult’ you mean following FL law and more importantly, being proficient in firearm training and usage?......To quote the great philosopher Conor McGregor “I’d like to apologize....to absolutely no one”!!

You know the old saying---You don't need a gun, till you need a gun. Then it's too late.:crap2::bowdown:

I've been robbed at night while in my home before. I started running after the young idiots to try to get them to take the money and leave the cards, but I didn't get through to them. I certainly would NEVER think it would warrant killing them.

Great post!

It does (in an indirect way) point out a very definite problem regarding crime in The Villages and its increase--and let's not kid ourselves, it WILL increase. Villagers are by and large very law-abiding folks, but those apartment buildings we see springing up like mushrooms are not built to house Villagers but to house the people who work in and for The Villages: younger folks, from a variety of life backgrounds, and many with children of their own. Such a demographic will, by its very nature, have more crime than a bunch of a group of 150,000 older folks and retirees.

We're very lucky here in TV with the level and quality of law enforcement that we have: things that get routinely reported here as crimes, and followed up on by law enforcement, would probably be met with a loud guffaw if reported as crimes in the areas that many of us hail from. We see story after story after story in The Online Paper That Shall Not Be Named, of law enforcement chasing down and apprehending thieves who have taken what in many (most?) other states would be considered paltry sums; shoplifters who have taken maybe $100 worth of merchandise for example. Many stories of people being stopped for minor traffic infractions such as stopping at a stop sign with the front of their car over the thick white line, vehicle windows with too heavy a tint, improper turns, things like that, which are often followed by a K-9 being called which "alerts" to the possibility of drugs, which are then found in the vehicle. The cops obviously know who the troublemakers are and do an excellent job of keeping the pressure on them. But all too often such police work is negated by a criminal justice system that slaps the miscreants on the wrist (if even that) and sends them on their way. The rap sheets of some of these characters fill pages! In other words, such crime carries very little risk, and even if caught the penalty is really nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

The question is, will policing TV and surrounding areas continue to be adequate in dealing with an influx of crime that is sure to come? I hope so. But if not, will things escalate to a point where law-abiding folks will take matters into their own hands and "beat the ****"" out of miscreants who have obviously not had it beaten out of them during previous times and misadventures?

Let's hope not.

Wow! So we finally have a breach in friendly town....the welcome mat for Middleton already being soiled!

Middleton, which is what is being referenced, is being developed to recruit and retain families who’s parents are in the unenviable position of servicing the larger (and IN SOME CASES insufferable) Villager population. And an affordable option to put a roof over their families heads in accomplishing that goal. I love the developers vision and acumen...realizing the need to sustain his investment by welcoming a whole new demo to his portfolio. The only thing I agree with in this post is that crime is inevitable.
Maybe management will give prospective Middleton residents the same litmus test that they gave to the other 55+ fear monger population upon arrival! SMH

How can you know what the robber is up to? The actor recently shot dead by a thief stealing the catalytic converter on his vehicle comes to mind

If you do some internet research, you will find that if that a criminal breaks into a home that he knows or suspects is occupied, is more likely to severely injure or kill the home owner. They actually hope someone is there, they want to hurt you. Don't judge criminals by your morals and conscience, they don't have any morals or a conscience.

Are there apartment buildings in Middleton?

Are there
 

There wasn’t anything mentioned about apartments in any of the Villages flyers. The closest apartments are the ones going up on the 39 acres across from Dabney right? That area has to be a good 3 miles from there. There is another section on Marshbend Trail that is not a part of the Villages too?

There are apartments near Brownwood called "The Lofts". This facility is located within The Villages and the residents are actual Villagers.

Yes
 

Yes, and those apartments are quite nice and restrictive for the upper income individuals, but I was focusing on the local close to Middleton.

That is why I said "someone" and not "you"...

In retrospect, I agree. However, at the time of the break-in, you hd no idea of their intentions...

To clarify.
Thirdoffive talked about apartments springing up all over…..no mention of Middleton.

Shipping up to Boston said Middleton & Middleton people had been “soiled” by that post.

I wanted to know where the apartments were in Middleton, that could have been included as a part of”springing up all over”.


Normal your questions directed to me…..answer yes.

Last I checked, "MIddleton" wasn't a bunch of apartments... So no, that is not what was being referenced...

But thanks for the lecture (even thought it had nothing to do with what the poster to whom you responded was talking about)...

I was hoping for this response.

The poster talked about ‘apartments’ for those that will be servicing Villages residents and their future ‘propensity’ for area crime. My post is more to highlight the hypocrisy of the statement. Middleton (Morse developed) is serving the same purpose as any other structure (family/workforce focused) in the completed or planned stages near it..... to service the majority in the area....Villagers. To say that those future residents (because of their demo)... on the periphery or those that are within the Middleton boundaries....are going to spike the crime in the area is ridiculous. You can’t continue to complain incessantly about ‘not enough workers’ or ‘poor customer service’ or continued mediocre dining options.....when at least more than one developer realizes the challenges and are addressing it....collectively.

Btw....the Morse group has advertised Middleton in some publications as an opportunity for Villagers to be closer to their children/grandchildren. Let’s hope ‘yours’ are given the same welcoming as the ones that will be working/living alongside each other.

I give up on this one…………….

Never open your door to a stranger. IN OLDEN DAYS BEFORE WE HAD CELL PHONES a would-be assailant, robber or rapist tried twice in 2 weeks to enter my Front Door in Maryland. The first time he acted like a "drunk guy" trying my front door Forcefully, acting like LET ME IN. I LIVE HERE. I yelled "No you don't" I did not open my wooden door. THEN HE ASKED ME TO LET HIM IN to Phone someone to drive him home. I said "I'm calling the police and they'll take you home" . That remark got him Off my porch walking like he was tipsy.
Couple weeks later, a well-dressed guy knocked loudly on my door & Said his car broke-down and he needs come in to call a tow truck. I said tell me which tow company and "I'LL CALL IT." he insisted "Let me in." I said"No i'll call a # for you but you're not coming in my house."
I called police and Officer Lou arrived and queried a couple Parked nearby what THEY SAW: they saw a man walking around the perimeter of my fenced yard "WHISTLING TO A DOG" Our fenced yard had signs posted "POLICE K9 ON PREMISES --KEEP OUT" Officer Lou asked that couple to identify the man at my door. Witnesses Who saw that guy walk around my fenced yard gave Officer Lou the suspect's license plate number. Officer Lou tracked down that license plate & drove to his address, and pretended he needed this guy "as a witness to help solve local break-ins! " Off. LOU SAID HE'D SUMMONS HIM TO COURT TO TESTIFY & ID THE BURGLAR
The couple necking told police "the guy at her front door is the SAME GUY who walked around that fenced yard--whistling for their dog."
PERP NEVER BOTHERED US AGAIN !

The sound of racking a shotgun usually sends them running.

That's a myth...

Plus, you've just announced your location to the intruder...

The funeral director will be able to pick him up at my house

Did you mean that "literally" or "figuratively?" :1rotfl::a040::1rotfl:

Perhaps that is a correct assumption. However, it was not too long ago where several major cities in the U.S. defunded the police, in order to pursue that amazingly ludicrous idea of hiring more social service agents to go on police calls. After all, if we handle the perpetrators softly, with kid gloves (kid as in baby goat?) certainly they will correct their deviant lifestyle and become good citizens. I don't know what goes through a deviant's mind when they break the law, but I do know what might go though my mind if woken in the dark hours of the night. I will be thinking only that someone is breaking in to do me or my familiarly harm. As far as I am concerned, anyone FORCING their entry into my home, is doing so with the expectation that someone inside may have a gun or bat or some other weapon to protect themselves. Saying "Oh, my mistake. I thought it was my home" won't cut it. It will be too late, anyway.
What some folks wish to do is none of my concern. I stated my thoughts on the situation, and I really do not care if other folks do not wish to protect themselves or their family. I do not feel sorry for anyone that includes me in their nefarious actions. Another thought regarding the legal aspects of the action. I may have to go to court for my actions, but at least I will be alive and able to testify. I doubt if I will be sorry for protecting the life of my family over the life of some deviant that I do not know. I know that I would be pretty upset if I could have saved a family member and didn't, because I was worried about taking the life of a lawbreaking deviant that I did not even know. Just my thoughts.

We always smirk at the bluster that comes from people when these types of situations are reported. I would do this, I would do that and this is what would happen. Most people are not prepared or capable of making decisions quickly, decisively or controlled in situations such as this. Having been in this type of situation twice at prior residences it is not as easy as people think. Until you are in the situation you have no clue what you will or can do in the moment. Unless you have extensive training you are as likely to harm youself or someone else in the home. Also most people have never seen, heard or contended with a dieing or dead human being. Unless you train on a regular basis in multiple types of scenarios and conditions using a weapon, you probably will be less than proficient with the weapon. There are all kinds of decisions that must be made in split seconds and they have to be correct, one misstep and you or a loved one could be dead or injured. The last part of this is counting on the law to be your out when you kill someone. All you have to do is look at the recent trial of the woman in Ocala that is going to prison for killing another woman. Most people would be better served to try to avoid these types of confrontations and situations and use force as a last resort. There are trained individuals that are much better prepared and equipped to handle these situations.

Do those "trained individuals" live with you?

If not, they're useless in a break in situation...

Yep.

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away".

Most are
 

Did my military time and hunted most of my adult life. I think I wouldn’t have too much of a problem giving a perpetrator a few extra body piercings free of charge!

With the judicial “catch and release” system that’s so prevalent nowadays, he’ll soon be out again and someday will break into the wrong house and then will be carried out in a body bag. Just a matter of time.

I really wouldn’t give them that warning; they’re in OUR HOME and I do not know what their intentions are.

You have one part correct. Be prepared. And many of us have been in life and death situations, therefore we have an inkling of how to respond. It's not "bluster" to discuss what one might do in an emergency situation. It's part of being prepared. I doubt anyone here leaves their doors unlocked and open at night, just wishing someone would break in. Yes, I have smoke detectors. I also have a fire extinguisher in case of fire, because I know it takes time for fire fighters to respond. Same with the police; it takes time. And time can make a difference between your life and death. I prefer that time work on my side. If one is scared of guns, then I agree that they should not own one. If one is more scared of harming a stranger than protecting their family, then.........they can live with the results of a lost loved one when things don't work out for them the way they imagined. Some folks stock up on water and batteries when there is a threat of hurricane. They hope that there won't be cause to use their emergency supplies, but prepare just in case. I'm not sure a loved one will be proud of their spouse that does nothing while they are being assaulted and raped. Life isn't fair. We just have to even the odds of survival against the unknown. If that means bars on your window and an alarm system, then that's what we do. I don't believe that everyone should own a gun. I just don't want someone telling me that they don't think that I should have one. Who knows, that person that protects his/her home by taking out a bad guy, may just be protecting your life or that of your spouse.

Myth? IDK. Even if the intruder has a handgun, they're going to lose a fight with a shotgun 99% of the time. Now yes, they probably aren't too smart if they're breaking into a house, but I still like my odds, even if they now know my location.

Typical. Why do you care what another person does in his own home if it is legal? Also, while being efficient with anything that can cause harm is good practice, there is no legal requirement that a homeowner demonstrate efficiency with a firearm when defending his home. In fact, to take it a step further, the new Constitutional (Permitless) Carry of Concealed Weapons in Florida doesn't even require proof of efficiency when carrying concealed outside the home.

Even that is damn scary.
.

And yet, how many incidents of legal gun owners shooting someone by mistake have occurred since the law was passed?

I can understand the logic behind it though. If it is a constitutionally-guaranteed right and no other issue prevents the carrier from carrying (such as underage, felon, etc.) then no test can be required to prove competency. There can be no competency test (again, assuming no other issues exist barring it) to exercise the right to vote for example.

But...yeah. Scary, nevertheless. There is a whole lot more to carrying responsibility than being able to point and hit what you're aiming at. Knowledge of applicable laws, for example, is tremendously important: where you're carrying, what transpired to cause the use of deadly force, etc., can all cause very unpleasant surprises if you DON'T understand the laws regarding carrying and responsible use of a firearm. I've been around firearms all my life and have had carry permits for twenty-plus years, but I would never carry unless I had the state permit class. It is just to risky.

Yeah, there was a story very recently, not in TV, of a police chase for a stolen vehicle with two guys in it. The chase was very dangerous with the stolen vehicle at one point driving down the wrong side of a boulevard at a high rate of speed in a large city. The suspects were being chased since they were suspected of breaking into many cars that day.

The chased vehicle finally crash and the suspects attempted to run but were caught. Laying on the front seat of the stolen vehicle was a loaded handgun. The suspects were 13 and 15 years old. I wonder what would have happened if someone would have approached them while they were smashing out car windows with a gun on one of them.

Cry me a river for the perps... I don't think so. chilout That's scarier than anything.

I really don't care what you do in your home....if its legal. My 'proficiency' comment was just friendly advice. We have threads on here...where Villagers complain how close their lanais are...how they can hear others conversations etc. Parts of TV are extremely dense. I can see how you would take offense to me wanting someone to act within the framework....to avoid a chaotic situation where 'strays' could enter another dwelling of an unsuspecting neighbor. If you want to light up the night...be my guest. Ive had my LTC my whole adult life, been trained professionally and used in service occupationally. I wouldnt want to work with anyone that wasn't proficient...so why would I want to trust my personal well being in my private setting to an octogenarian neighbor who picked theirs up with their lottery tickets and Pall Malls....zero training. God forbid you ever find yourself in the situations that have been described here....and if you do, that you hit the intended target and not innocent bystanders (ie; another family member in the home or a neighbor). The law definitely protects you criminally....but not from civil suits resulting from negligence
... examples I've stated already. Only on ToTV could someone be offended by someone wanting proficient and responsible usage of a firearm!

Ask any defensive shooting instructor. They'll tell you the same thing...

And whomever sees the other person first will win in that gun fight...

That is why you don't want to reveal your position, whenever possible...

Hell, some police department have minimal recertification requirements,,,

What about states that don't have a "state permit class"?

Many states hve gone to "Constitutional Carry" and no longer offer a class...

That said, I do believe anyone who carries should take the NRA Concealed Carry Class. But there are better classes out there for self defense training...