cautiously answering a door knock

[Doug M.]

No one should feel comfortable coming to my house without a prior invite. We have almost no company ever, and when we had Bozo, could not have company. We don't socialize much; never did, and even less now. Just got better things to do.

We've had both houses fenced off for several years now, and one can only get to the doors by climbing a 6' fence, thus committing a crime (trespass). Before those fences went up, I only responded to knocks/doorbell by yelling through the door. I can't imagine opening the door for anyone until and unless I know who it is. I won't ignore it, as it might encourage a malefactor to think no one is home and that they can break in, but I am not welcoming.

A couple of folks wrote responses that make me think that they have their doors unlocked. Shameful. Doors should only be unlocked when passing through them. Heck, mine is locked behind me when I am taking out the trash. For those of you who say "we don't have a problem" - that will be true, until it isn't. I'm just over 100 miles from Seattle, and there have been Seattle based criminals arrested here for burglaries and the like.

 

[Rustyt1953]

On to the Rusty1953 problem.

You took the cat thing seriously?

 

[pittpa]

This ex cop answered the door with a gun. Maybe sometimes you should just say "who's there?"
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Sbf_piIQQ[/ame]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Duckford]

But Uncle Joe told us all we need is a double barreled shotgun, and if we get frightened, just to shoot through the door with it! That's why I have either one of my 10 bore shotguns ready to go with buckshot, in case I get really scared!

I live in the country, in a tree covered yard. The fact people can't see in is an advantage, it keeps wandering riff raff wondering exactly what is behind those trees down that path, and criminals are lazy, they tend to keep driving till they find something they can see and know. Most of all, this is all private property around here, if you drive in the yard you can be sent out any time, you don't have any right to be here. This keeps people from simply wandering around and getting any ideas.

We are always armed up here, carry is just routine to the point you don't think about it, and with critters in the yard I always keep a revolver open carry about me. Thus, I carry a long gun quite a bit for the same reason, and have greeted people in the yard with them, not threateningly. But a full size shotgun, M1a or HK 91 doesn't have to carried with any malice to set a message to anyone with strange ideas. Most of all, I'm oldschool, I respect a man in his house, am meek and non confrontational in public, but on my own property I'm the master, and any guests damn well know it. Luckily, the crime around here is almost completely non violent, the aggressive types tend to stick to the concrete jungle, and the ones around here are loser burglars who aren't up for much more trouble.

In the main house, I always look out the windows to see the vehicles, small enough community you know what everyone drives, or if its officials on business. If its someone I don't know, I can open the glass slider and step out on the deck and greet them from above where an unarmed person can't rush me. Otherwise I will ask who it is from the top of the stairs, away from the door, and out the path of any rusher ins. In my cabin, the windows and window on the door mean I can see the whole yard, vehicles, and anyone knocking. I'm well prepared, and anyone at the door knows and sees that. If they act a bit too aggressive, maybe I'll follow Uncle Joe's advice.

Ayoob is right on the stay away from the door thing, but you can't just hide away from every knock on the door and live a normal civilized life. The open carrier shows his intentions, this works very well as a means of disuading bad guys. If you think its bad, don't answer it, and if they kick in you know exactly what you got. But, you can greet people kind, but firm. I'm a gracious host, but remember you are just a guest. You can be asked to leave, have the police escort you, or taken out in a bag if you attack me to stay. Polite, but firm.

 

[Smoke]

I got tired of typing this out so I just cut and paste it now


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD3zIA6vJkQ]Massad Ayoob "Don't Answer The Door!!!" - YouTube[/ame]

I've seen this discussed on other forums and it seems to cause a lot of debate when it comes up.

I found this video by Massad Ayoob on youtube in which he explains how he deals with a stranger at his door and there's not much I can add to it except maybe my personal experience.

I am convinced that I stopped an attempted robbery at the front door of my home several years ago by simply not opening the door.

A stranger showed up at my door around 9 pm saying that he wanted to give me a free Denver Post. This was back when I owned a home and I looked through the front window and he had no newspaper in his hands.

He spent 10 minutes trying to get me to open that door; nothing else was going to do. I finally ended the conversation by telling him I was calling the police. I am aware that there are any number of things I could have done better but it was almost 10 years ago and I've learned some since then.

I believe it's prudent not to open the door to a stranger if for no other reason than I don't want to hear a pitch for meat or a vacuum cleaner or encyclopedias or magazines or an invitation to your church. By not opening the door for anyone I don't know I automatically am never faced with a situation where I open the door to a criminal.

If it is a criminal I want every advantage I can have. Why put myself in a position where I have to fight them at the door when I can just not open the door and avoid the fight altogether.

 

[rwsmith]

I think I'd get.....

My 'old man' job has me visiting homes and knocking on doors. Without a uniform or vehicle markings, I've always been amazed how people will nonchalantly open the door to a stranger. Over the years family and friends have learned to knock on my back door...a knock at another door means stranger, answer with caution.
Our small community of Cullman Al. had a rare home invasion this week. A prominent businessman was gunned down by a certified mental person(Google) leaving his 71 year old wife in a physical life or death struggle. She won the struggle, killing the assailant with her bare hands( broken flower pot shard). Thankfully, she's recovering in intensive care. Am I the only one that answers the stranger' knock armed?

If you googled our little Cullman hamlet...check out our soon to open nations largest above ground indoor shooting range. While cruising round town you might checkout CullmanUnderground....our entertaining local gossip forum. It's mostly political arguing if you're into that. You can post anonymously without registering or logging in...and when you 1up the 7 or 8 local wizards, they'll talk nasty to you. Pose as a Democrat for immediate attention... HeHeHe....

Surely you can get a generic 'Security' T shirt and Hat

 

[BC38]

Well FWIW, when I open the door, I'm standing back almost at arm's length. One half step back and I'm clear completely . I am also leading with my left foot so my right foot/arm/side are facing away from the door into the room, and out of the path of the door swing.

The fact that I'm 6' tall and just shy of 290 pounds is a factor too. Anybody who's going to try to give me the bum's rush is gonna' find that this big boy ain't so easy to move. Hopefully looking down the barrel of my pocket pistol will discourage them from continuing to try. If not, then a couple of bullets should.

 

[misswired]

I stopped at a Ruby Tuesday's in Cullman for lunch once several years ago on the way back from Pensacola Beach. The only Ruby Tuesday's I've ever been in that didn't sell beer. My vision of the community has been colored thereafter . . .

I caught that clever wordplay!
Our community has always paled in comparison...
Nope, I ain't going there....not gonna do it....

 

[nachogrande]

DETERENTS

The Fife security plaque, "sniffing out crime, one bite at a time" should "nip it in the bud". Having the on switch for the sprinklers near the front door, good entertainment.

 

[Telecaster]

What reason could there possibly be to open the door to a stranger? Don't even bother speaking through the door. Nothing legitimate is sold door to door these days. We just look out a discreet window, ignore the people, and stand ready to defend in case in of invasion.

 

[BE Mike]

What reason could there possibly be to open the door to a stranger? Don't even bother speaking through the door. Nothing legitimate is sold door to door these days. We just look out a discreet window, ignore the people, and stand ready to defend in case in of invasion.

I open the door for kids in uniform. I'm a sucker for the scouts, cheerleaders, football player, band members, etc.

 

[BE Mike]

I got tired of typing this out so I just cut and paste it now


Massad Ayoob "Don't Answer The Door!!!" - YouTube

I've seen this discussed on other forums and it seems to cause a lot of debate when it comes up.

I found this video by Massad Ayoob on youtube in which he explains how he deals with a stranger at his door and there's not much I can add to it except maybe my personal experience.

I am convinced that I stopped an attempted robbery at the front door of my home several years ago by simply not opening the door.

A stranger showed up at my door around 9 pm saying that he wanted to give me a free Denver Post. This was back when I owned a home and I looked through the front window and he had no newspaper in his hands.

He spent 10 minutes trying to get me to open that door; nothing else was going to do. I finally ended the conversation by telling him I was calling the police. I am aware that there are any number of things I could have done better but it was almost 10 years ago and I've learned some since then.

I believe it's prudent not to open the door to a stranger if for no other reason than I don't want to hear a pitch for meat or a vacuum cleaner or encyclopedias or magazines or an invitation to your church. By not opening the door for anyone I don't know I automatically am never faced with a situation where I open the door to a criminal.

If it is a criminal I want every advantage I can have. Why put myself in a position where I have to fight them at the door when I can just not open the door and avoid the fight altogether.

Gees, can't Ayoob afford a better rug? It looks like he has a dead rat on his head!

 

[Kanewpadle]

I do things a little different because of my profession. Someone is simply not getting into my house unless they drive through the front door. So I don't feel the need to be armed around the house although there are guns close by.

I highly recommend a good secure security screen door with a deadbolt. I can open my door and see and hear who I'm talking to and not put myself in danger.

If we are outside and the possibility exists that we could be approached or followed inside, then I put a gun in my pocket.

Thankfully we get very few visitors.

 

[6518John]

Gees, can't Ayoob afford a better rug? It looks like he has a dead rat on his head!

You are a bad, bad man. But my lord I nearly busted a gut.

 

[cavnamvet]

Always armed when responding to doorbell/knocking.. never open front door to stranger after view from adjoining window.. Then either ignore or
exit house through garage side door and approach stranger(s) from behind.. Kahr pm9 always in front right pocket with hand on firearm..
Never allow stranger to close within 6 feet of me when thy approach, sometimes extending their hand.. Oh, and have no solicitor sign on front door

 

[Smoke]

Nothing legitimate is sold door to door these days.

Schwann's

 

[John in Yuma]

My doorbell is broken. I've been in no hurry to repair it. Friends/invitees know that and knock. Others stand there a while pushing the button then go away. If they are insistent and switch to knocking, the door is answered with handgun in pocket, semi-domesticated dog acting crazy and scowl.

 

[pmanton]

We live in the AZ outback. Some time back 3 of our neighbors were murdered. One of the ladies was a member of my wife's woman's club.
I've got pistols stashed all over.

 

[Smoke]

Then either ignore or exit house through garage side door and approach stranger(s) from behind..

Really bad idea. First you're essentially looking for the fight. Second you've given up the protection of your home to go out and meet the enemy on their terms.

Oh, and have no solicitor sign on front door

When I was on terminal leave I spent 2 weeks working for one of those shady companies that sells meat off a truck.

Rule number one was ignore those signs. I worked with one guy who made a point of knocking on doors with those signs. He said the only people who put them up were weak people who couldn't say "No."

 

[BC38]

Schwann's

And Boy Scouts popcorn sales!