Howdy all! I do not post to internet forums because I have certain family and career responsibilities that take up the bulk of my time. However, I decided to make an exception in this regard. Keep in mind, I am not attempting to "jack" this thread or make anyone angry, but simply trying to provide a second viewpoint. I am not trying to be insensitive or argumentative, but simply trying to provide information that would be helpful to the OP.
Most everyone who has replied to this thread have been saying "good job" to the OP because of his military status. It is an officer's job to arrest anyone who has broken the law. Of course, there is discretion, but when the crime involves a minor and especially firearms then the discretion becomes limited. I would not be able to let someone off with a warning for committing the crime of menacing against a minor. I would simply make the arrest and allow the Prosecutor to figure out the "next step".
Remember that children will be children. They will knock on doors, step on your toes and maybe even take their paintball guns and spray your garage. However, there are very limited circumstances where you can respond in kind. For example, if a 5 year old stamps on your toe with all his might then you cannot do the same in return. The court system and law enforcement tends to take a very dim view of any assault against a small child no matter what the reason. Even convicted criminals tend to take a very dim view of the issue.
You stated you believed the child was part of a burglary ring, but that is your assumption not based upon any fact. Simply because a child shows up knocking at a door does not demonstrate anything. I have had neighborhood children knocking at my door and running off...I have even had neighborhood children egg my house and spray it with paintballs. There is nothing I can do, but grin and bear it. Its just how it goes with children. Of course, I could call the police and make complaints against the children, but I think that would make it worse and provoke them further.
Lets say you had clear and convincing evidence the child was part of a burglary ring in the area. Lets say you had a video tape of the child conspiring with a group of known burglars discussing how they would rob your home. Even in that circumstance, there is still no reason to display your weapon to this child...that is still menacing. If you believe the child is part of a ring, then call the police and let them handle it.
My advice...do not ever display your weapon to a young child. You might be committing the crime of menacing. If you were to point that weapon then that would be assault. You may say you did not point it, but then the child might say different and then it will come down to who they believe... The judges in my locality will give you a hefty sentence for any crime against a child. There is also a few other crimes that I could probably fit this circumstance under like child abuse. It doesnt matter what the child was there for, the fact is that you were mentally abusing this child through intimidation with a firearm. You could easily be looking at a few years in prison if you got in front of the wrong judge.
Buy renter's insurance. Do not go around trying intimidate the neighborhood kids with your firearm. That will land you in jail and I would arrest you. You can say you are a Medal of Honor winner...you can say that you thought the kid was part of a ring, but I have to do my job in the end which will include taking you to jail and impounding your weapon. Your fight should be with an insurance company and not someone's child.
Frankly speaking, if you displayed your weapon to any of my children then I would take it personally. Even if my children were actively causing trouble, then I would still make a complaint against you. The simple fact is that these are my children and, even if they were knocking on your door, there is no reason to be racking your 1911 or displaying it to them. I would take serious offense at the issue, file a criminal complaint as well as sue you in civil court.
