You Shot My Jacket, You Clean It & Cook It! a follow-up

For those who read yesterday’s post about how our neighbor almost shot my wife, there’s been a little progress.

Neighbor “Joe” accidentally fired a round from his 9mm pistol that ended up coming into our master bedroom two feet from where I sleep (luckily, I was watching the Broncos beat the Colts.) Had the bullet been another four feet to the west, the bullet would have hit my wife. I was angry that it happened. Angry that he didn't tell me what had happened (had my wife been sleeping and I didn't know she had been shot, she could have bled out.) I was angry he didn't come over to check on us.

Last night, “Joe” came over. He was very apologetic, explaining that with his many years in the Army, including two tours in Afghanistan, he should know gun safety, how to clean his weapons and avoid an accidental discharge like what happened with his new gun on Sunday night.

He was aghast at the holes in the exterior and interior walls of our house (after going through two walls in his own house). He explained that he didn't know the bullet had gone any further than his own house. Now, all of his weapons are unloaded and safely stored.

We talked over some of our other concerns and came to a comfortable resolution of his coming over this weekend to help repair any damages, and get me a new jean jacket, sans bullet holes.

We have been neighbors for about 6 months, but we never introduced ourselves or talked, mostly due to weird schedules. Therein lies part of the problem. Dialogue is always a good idea. I had no idea if he was some drunken, idiot gun nut or just an average guy. Turned out, he’s pretty cool and seems sincere. Time will tell.

Before we moved to Wyoming, my wife and I organized neighborhood parties to meet neighbors for a more friendly and secure neighborhood. It helped greatly there, and would certainly help here as well. You may want to think about it for where you live.

The bullet killed my coat that was in the hall closet, you can see the exit wound (left), the entry hole is smaller (right).

Maybe he did me a favor, this coat collar is worn... but totally comfortable. Damn!

Our neighbor shot our house, now he needs a taxidermist to have it stuffed and mounted.