Guns

I live in a rural area sometimes the neighbors shoot off guns. Today they are kinda close to the house I'm staying at. The sound is horrible I don't want to Tick off the neighbors either though by saying something especially when they own guns. My dog ironically is actually fear aggressive with guns and went out to get him and they shot off several times about had a heart attack as did the dog.
I was shot at once and another time a man pulled a gun on my dogs then on me. (he was on meth and making it and thankfully the gun was not functional but I didn't know that.)
Point is every time I hear fireworks or guns I panic. Is that just normal maybe? I mean they can kill you after all.

Someone with PTSD and an incident of loud blasts would surely be more anxious hearing gunshot, I think.

But firearms don't kill people---people do. (Or I need to return mine because they are malfunctioning, they haven't even shot anyone yet!)

That's a scary situation you were in, for sure! And I think you're dog is picking up your fear when you hear or see firearms,,,which is not the best thing really. My own dog gets excited but not for the same reasons as yours I suppose... he notices thunder only because I do, too.

I think if you can talk nicely to your neighbors and without too much info tell them you have PTSD and really freak out (use your words) when you hear gunfire...and is there any way to not shoot so close to your home???? might work. Most gun owners are respectable people (but yes, there are some that fear others only want to take away their firearms.)

It's so scary they are so close to the house I know they aren't shooting at me but I can't block out the sound or the idea they are so close. I have music on but it's not really helping. I hate guns.
I know they are a tool but it a tool that can kill and I just get so afraid. I still get nightmares about the times I had those things happen. I can still see it and hear it as clear as day. I just want to hide right now. I can't believe it's legal to shoot so near but I asked my lawyer friend and guess its legal. I'm afraid to talk to them. He has a huge rifle.
My poor dog his last owner shot at him spin think that's some of it anything that looks remotely like a gun or sounds makes him charge toward the sound or object barking. Mostly though with a object it has to be pointed at him his doggie friends or me. I'm sure he picks up my fears though too. I know he'd protect me then again I'd protect him first if possible. We are both very very much alike he also has issues with men as do I. I truely would do anything for him and he would me we are very connected to each other emotionally it's like our thoughts mimic each other at times. Weird I know. I just truely adore him we've both been through hell. I saved him but he did me too. He was like Cujo when I first got him he's done so well his behavior now is SO much better then three years ago. I
I rush I could talk to them I'm just afraid to do so besides my dear of the darn gun I'm also afraid to talk to people even on my best days.

I don't know where you are but where I live it is illegal to shoot a gun within 400 feet of a school or church, or within 500 feet of a dwelling

I thought the same but I guess that's not the case here.

That's odd they're allowed to shoot so close...and very rude. I shoot frequently on a friend's property, but we're well away from the house/neighbors when we go (except for the .22, but those don't make much noise). I don't doubt they still hear them, but we at least make an effort...if you can clearly see one has a "big rifle," they're too close. :/

At any rate, I do think JD made an excellent point. You have every right to be afraid given your past, and I think they owe it to you to respect your wishes given the circumstances.

I guess the law here is 150 feet. I think they were closer then that though. I went out to start to ask them to move got to my front step then chickened out. I could clearly see inside their truck their baby in the stroller that alone seemed weird to have a baby and a gun near the baby. Even could see one on their cell. They were maybe 75 feet max. My dog was trying to rip the fence down so I did go get him but I was shaking really bad. They were shooting in between my house and another into the vacant fields. It was a big rifle no mistaken it. Even from a distance the sound makes me afraid but this guy was way way way too close. I don't know how to stop it from happening again all I could think is if I had been gone my poor dog would have been out there for hours with that.
I guess I feel a bit better knowing its okay to be afraid given what happened in the past. I don't know how to ask them to stop though.

Wait...they brought an infant with them to go shooting? Good Lord...it's idiots like them that give every other gun owner a bad name!

You mentioned that the property they're on is vacant, right? Can you perhaps block it off somehow? It doesn't do anything now, but it might prevent future visits.

Close enough that you can clearly see the rifle is absolutely absurd...I wish I could offer more approaches with legality, but I have to trust your lawyer friend is more knowledgeable on your state laws than I could hope to be. I wish I could offer you more help...aside from asking them to move away, there's not a lot that can be done for this current "outing."

I experience the same thing with loud noises, and I think I have made my point in other posts about how I feel about guns.

Call the police and let them handle it. Let them know you are fearful, they are disturbing the peace, there is a baby there with them, and you feel both you and your dog are in danger. Hopefully, they will come out and give these 'ol boys/ladies a tutorial on proper and responsible behavior when hadling / using firearms.

Best wishes to you

Yup there was a baby. I couldn't believe it that was a first seeing something like that. I sure there are good gun owners yet I always seem to have troubles with the not so good ones. I can't even help but panic around police even though I know to extent they will not shoot me I can't even LOOK at them all I can think of is their gun and I find myself watching to make sure they don't pull it. Of I see a gun I automatically keep track of it and those around. I always worry what people must think but then again my anxiety is normally so high maybe they pick up I'm afraid?? needless to say I can't act normal around police it's a surprise I've not been arrested of something for acting weird.
Thankfully these folks haven't been back of they do I will call the police and tell them because I can't handle it again it led to increased panic attacks and sh. It may not help because I found out the folks are related to the county judge of all things. I am looking into leaving at the beginning of the year so maybe all will stay calm till then. But they certainly were hurting not only my emotional well being but also the dogs.

Hugs to you. You are very brave. I understand exactly what you mean also about fear of guns. Even of those in law enforcement. I shared this before, but I was terrified when I talked to them (except for my law enforcement friends) because their job is to be wary, skeptical, on guard and suspicious. Even though I have never done anything in my life to be on the wrong side of the law, after the trauma I have experienced and the messages I received from my family and society, I was scared they would see right into me and think I was bad, too. Even though I was the crime victim. I do have a habit of feeling nervous around the police because I even feel ashamed of my dx. And they wont take me seriously. Also, I am wary and nervous so I am sure they notice it

I realized though through my friends here at PC and with my T, I am not a bad person because of the Dx and I am a very good citizen and deserve the same protection as everyone else.

YOU and your beloved dogs also deserve to feel safe in your home. ...without having to have a deadly firearm to give you sense of power and/or safety. Those dipps were clearly irresponsible and in the wrong.

As far as the judge is concerned, hopefully he is intelligent enough to acknowledge a wrong and do something about it when warranted. Despite family members, whatever. Try to not let that bother you.

Hugs to you, R

I honestly don't feel brave I feel exactly the opposite.
It really makes me feel better to know that Im not alone with my fear of law enforcement though Im very sorry you have these fears along with me. It's not fun. I feel exactly how you described. I feel ashamed too and I try to hide my emotions I always figure police will see my being afraid ashamed etc as though i must have done something bad and ultimately they too will hurt me in some way. In honesty besides when I was a kid and tried to report my parents abused me I have not had bad encounters with police. But as a kid I remember they questioned me in front of my parents and I was terrified of not only my parents but the officers and felt betrayed.
The issue with actual guns came later. Given my social phobia, fear of men and then fear of guns it's just way way too much. I panic just riding a police officer or car. Thank goodness I don't drive because if I ever got pulled over old or a light out or something I know they would see me panic and think I was up to no good. I wish it is something I could get past but I'm not sure how. I think it's the idea of men in power that frighten me. Women police officers are not as scary but I still have the fear of people and guns to contend with.
I love llove my dogs they provide a great deal of support to me. So I do everything I can to make them feel happy and safe. I adore them and I hate that the gun was fired so near them and if dogs can have PTSD I know my Billy does. I want to feel safe too and to be honest there have been very few times in my life that I have. I just want some peace and I don't know why I can't find it.
I really hope if it happens again the judge will understand if I say something. I hate the idea of calling the police because I'm afraid it will make him angry or the police will take his side and things may get worse. I'm afraid to move too but between my husband knowing I live in this town and then these people with the guns I don't think it's a good idea to stay either. I just hope if I move I don't find myself in worse shape.

Speaking of cops my friend got pulled over yesterday for speeding. I'm in the passenger seat and he came to my side and knocked something I wasn't expecting so I jumped and yelped. Stumbled around with the stupid window opener and got the my then I see a big officer and I'm freaking out clawing at my hands and shaking thry must of thought i was on something. And no I had done nothing wrong. Though they pulled my friend out of the car and took her to the back. By now I've lost it and shaking and crying. Thankfully they didn't come back to talk tO me and they have her a ticket and left us be.
She blamed me for being taken out of the car i feel so so horrible! God at least they didn't pull me out because I would have had a panic attack for sure.

((((Sweetie)))) I have cried when getting pulled over. I felt horrible and embarrassed. They see that all the time. I am so sorry that happened to you.

And btw...it is your friend that should apologize to you for speeding and creating an unsafe situation for you while riding in her car, which is bad enough in itself.

The police officer may have taken her out because she was driving wayyy over the limit, erratically or in dangerous conditions. Or simply looked suspicious. Or has a record of speeding.

OR he didnt want tp scare you further. Did he ask you what was wrong? Did you tell him you are a crime victim and fearful of weapons? Did he ask your "friend" why you were so upset and she backed you?

It is not your fault. Remember you are working on these issues and are doing the best you can