Gun Threat

[nailit]

Yes, I probably know the answer already (ring the police) but my sons ex-mate (tonight) constantly keeps PMing him on FB with pictures of guns (and ive no doubt that he could get hold of one) They've had a falling out and there is some animosity between them. I know that his mate uses monkey dust and appears to be off his face at the moment (have tried to have a conversation with him myself on FB).
don't want to get the police involved at the mo for various reasons
1) don't know what to make of it.
2) his mate is a really nice person who wouldn't hurt a fly when not on drugs
3) Don't know what exactly what the police would do (no direct threats been made)

Getting a little hairy at this end at the moment.
Thanks.

[NoMercy]

Nailit, if this druggie is making even empty or veiled threats to you or your son, he's not someone you really want to make up with or allow back in your lives.

It would be a wonderful thing if both you and your son could clear the dead wood out of your lives and give serious consideration to the company you keep - giving anyone who might be a bad influence or bring trouble into your lives a wide berth.

[Peter Pedant]

I think your son has to do whatever Nailit
Presumably he has shown you - to shock you or whatever

collect and store the images
tell him to stop and make a record of that
block on FB

he has to do this I think you are an onlooker

I think you have faced worse threats havent you ?

[EDDIE51]

Aren't FaceBook and other social media supposed to ban such messages and users? I thought that was what happens now? Has this been reported to FaceBook if not why ?

[Jahulaye]

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from police documentaries is that most psychopathic killers were “Angels” until voices, drink or drugs sent them over the edge.
It’s better to shop him then to have to bury your son or both of yourselves or are you willing to roll the dice, take the risk? I wouldn’t.

[Jahulaye]

No threats were made? What context were these gun photos sent in? If they were of him posing at a gun range where they were legal then where’s the threat, unless he’s using psychology on your son in which case it’s a hidden threat which possibly contravenes the internet communication act? (You’ll have to google that one nailit)

Stay safe! :)

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

If your sons' friend is an ex-mate could I perhaps suggest he unfriends and blocks him on facebook? Seems to be time to burn bridges and move on rather than being sucked back into the vortex.

[mikey4444]

Nailit....I am not sure exactly what Monkey Dust is but I am presuming that its not that sherbet dip stuff, that I enjoyed as a boy !

I don't think you need to do anything at all, except perhaps warn your son to choose his friends more carefully. It sounds like childish bravado to me.

I certainly wouldn't involve the Police at all.

[anneasquith]

Ditto hazi,

[nailit]

Many thanks for further replies. The messages stopped (presumably because his m8 fell asleep/became unconscious). As I said this is totally out of character for him. I get that I should give him a wide birth while hes using drugs but I know him when hes sober, its what drugs/alcohol do to you. I can understand that.
//Aren't FaceBook and other social media supposed to ban such messages and users?// The messages were sent via PM, similar to texting I suppose, so don't think that much could be done. My son has since blocked him.
If theres a repeat of last night I wont hesitate to call the police, but really didn't want to last night as I felt that it was all an empty threat, still a bit hair raising tho.
Thanks again to all that replied, appreciate it.

[nailit]

^^ God, I spoke to soon. Hes just texted my lad (don't know where he got his number from, had a new SIM a week ago) and told him that hes going to 'get him'. Looks like a call to the police :-(

[NoMercy]

And here's hoping that henceforth he's banished from your lives.

[nailit]

I know this sounds crazy, but I'm reluctant to report him, Hes been like a son to me. Hes just done a 7 month stint in prison (for something which I don't think he should have got sent down for), I wrote to him every week and sent him money in when I had it spare. When hes sober, hes the nicest bloke on the planet, its what bloody drugs do to people. Having said that I cant have my own lad being threatened, bravado or not.

[Peter Pedant]

and jesus nailit join a knitting circle or something

[yogi-bear]

Show the text he sent your son to the police, as that is a definite threat, then it is logged and they know about it, if anything was to occur.

As Peter P mentions, nailit, if not a knitting circle, why not join an over 50's 'bums and tums' aerobics group.....that'll keep you chilled, and hot to trot at the same time :-)