cautiously answering a door knock

[gman51]

When my door bell rings or a knock on the door I have my gun in hand and go to the flanking window to see who it is or ask what they want.

A peep hole can get an icepick in your eye or a bullet through the door into you. I know that could be getting a little overboard but don't put anything past a stranger at your door.

People that know me say they will blow their horn in my driveway before getting out of their car at my house. Most often people coming to see me that I expect but don't know will call me from the end of my road or driveway. The UPS man said jokingly he wouldn't want to come to my house after dark. We both laughed at that.

One time at 2a.m. my doorbell rang. My dogs went nuts and I grabbed my gun. I went to the side flanking window and yelled who is there and I couldn't see anyone or a any car in the driveway. Evidently the rain caused the doorbell button to short out. I don't get visitors at 2 am so you can understand my caution. No I am not about to fling open the door to see who it is. That's about stupid.

 

[Steve K]

Don't put too much faith in living in a good neighborhood to be safe. Dirt bags usually look into a good area where the chances of finding something of value to take and sell are good. Also, educate your children about the need to not let anyone into the house without your permission. It is to your advantage to be cautious which is one step lower than paranoid.

 

[427mach1]

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."

Depending on where you live, the "no soliciting" signs have the force of the law; they do where I live. If you ring the doorbell at my house and try to sell me something, I could have you arrested for trespassing. The local police actually encourage us to turn in violators. I have seen several people approach my door, see the sign, turn, and leave. I only had one instance where someone range the door bell, then noticed the sign. I opened the door as they were apologetically walking away. And your boss was wrong - I have no problem telling them "No" and to get off my property!

 

[Smoke]

Depending on where you live, the "no soliciting" signs have the force of the law; they do where I live. If you ring the doorbell at my house and try to sell me something, I could have you arrested for trespassing. The local police actually encourage us to turn in violators. I have seen several people approach my door, see the sign, turn, and leave. I only had one instance where someone range the door bell, then noticed the sign. I opened the door as they were apologetically walking away. And your boss was wrong - I have no problem telling them "No" and to get off my property!

Well, you could have me cited for tresspass. Assuming I stuck around long enough for the cops to get there.

I only did that job for 2 weeks because I figured out there was no honest way to make a living doing it.

That said, I don't care if you tell me to leave, I'll leave. If you start griping at me I'll actually say "So what, who cares, who's next" (Amway motto.) while I'm walking away.

What I won't do is stand there while you lecture me and neither will most of the folks that knock on doors for a living. They'll either cuss you out while they're walking away or you'll escalate matters to a confrontation you could have avoided.

 

[kfields]

I live in an old two story brick farmhouse in the country. The house is situated about 75 yards off the road. My night time routine for whenever I get a knock at the door, I usually head to one of the windows upstairs, open it, and holler down to whoever is there. The person is usually startled wondering where the voice is coming from. If the enterprising person finds his way to the side door (away from my window perch upstairs), I wait till they get tired waiting for a response and they head to the front door below me. I don't get many unsolicited visitors but this routine works for me and allows me time and distance to safely size up the situation.
Kim

 

[Muss Muggins]

I understand why we are discussing this, but the number of random knocks at a door by persons unknown to the occupants who have a nefarious intent is similar to the number of little leaguers in your town who will one day play in the World Series. Of course, there are many psycho little league and high school baseball parents who believe otherwise . . .

Added: My count for both remains at zero . . .

 

[Rustyt1953]

Good analogy Muss.

I'm still trying to calculate the odds of having my eye put out by an ice pick.

 

[Jessie]

Odds may be low, for sure, but dang that would hurt!

 

[AlHunt]

As above, security camera and monitor. Dirt cheap these days.

Barking alarm dogs are an added bonus.

 

[pharmer]

In a cell phone world, if'n you are coming to my door you already have the number. Call it and you stand a better chance of entry. Joe

 

[Smoke]

I understand why we are discussing this, but the number of random knocks at a door by persons unknown to the occupants who have a nefarious intent is similar to the number of little leaguers in your town who will one day play in the World Series. Of course, there are many psycho little league and high school baseball parents who believe otherwise . . .

Added: My count for both remains at zero . . .

I agree the odds are low but being cautious doesn't add a huge burden to my life. I'm typing this at my kitchen table. Three steps from the front door. If someone knocked right now I wouldn't even get up. I'd simply ask "Who is it?"

If I know the person I let them in, if I don't I tell them to go away.

How hard is that?

 

[tlawler]

Having the on switch for the sprinklers near the front door, good entertainment.

Bring on the Jehova's Witnesses...LOL

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

In the "good ole days" our doors were never locked and if there was a knock on the door it was always "it's open, come on in". Not that way any more.

Does anyone here have a Ring doorbell? I am seriously thinking of getting one now that I have joined the Smartphone crowd. The reviews seem pretty good and it would be nice to see who's at the door without having to leave my recliner!

 

[Muss Muggins]

I agree the odds are low but being cautious doesn't add a huge burden to my life. I'm typing this at my kitchen table. Three steps from the front door. If someone knocked right now I wouldn't even get up. I'd simply ask "Who is it?"

If I know the person I let them in, if I don't I tell them to go away.

How hard is that?

I agree. At the moment, I'm typing in my living room. The front door is standing open and the storm door isn't locked. The garage door is up, and the door from there to the service porch isn't locked. The sliding door leading to the back porch is unlocked, and the gate for the privacy fence is held open. My brother-in-law walked in the back way unannounced a couple hours ago, and didn't get shot.

How hard is that?

It's the difference between living in constant fear and just living . . .

 

[SMSgt]

If they make it past the landmines, they're welcome to ring my door bell.

 

[Watchdog]

I'm still trying to calculate the odds of having my eye put out by an ice pick.

 

[redlevel]

It's the difference between living in constant fear and just living . . .

Would I be correct, based on this statement, that you have the same
attitude regarding those of us who carry a handgun regularly? Do you think
we are living "in constant fear?" After all, the odds of having to actually
use our weapon are pretty low.

Do you have a spare tire in your daily driver?

 

[rwsmith]

Stand to the side....

Never stand behind the door when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. Never, never, never.

Doesn't matter if you have a pistol in your hand or not.

You can be easily bowled over as well as being shot through the door.

 

[6518John]

Odds may be low, for sure, but dang that would hurt!

This gives a new definition to "you'll put your eye out!" I have learned a lot from this forum, but this is one "lesson" I wish I could unlearn! I will never look through or at a door peep hole the same.

 

[forrestinmathews]

The person that said that either has no idea how thick that glass is or believes a peep hole is a hole open to the elements in a door. Either way I'm impressed with their intelligence.
The bullet through the peep hole is also rich.

I answer the door naked with a Scottish Claymore in hand. I charge onto the porch and shout "I dooon't get drrrressed up for nothing!" I now have three free briefcases and two new girlfriends.