home defense question

[Bartman3562]

We ( wife and I ) live in a small quiet neighborhood. Very seldom is there anyone besides us there at night. House is bi-level, with our room upstairs. We have 3 firearms hidden throughout house, and a nightstand gun. Now the question: Do you close and lock your bedroom door at night?

 

[RR1000]

Yes, I do.
It will give you time to grab your gun, while the invaders try to open the door and you can hear that.


Via Galaxy S4

 

[jlrhiner]

Nope, all interior doors open. It aids hearing what's going on, eliminates me having to open a door to see what's going on, and keeps me from being a target in the general area of the door. (I can move through it without warning).

Besides, if they are already in the house, game on. (I'm not the cower in the bedroom type)

YMMV

 

[shouldazagged]

I see no advantage in doing it, and I live in a ground-floor apartment. My door is steel. My windows would be very difficult to get through. My little dog is very good about loudly letting me know if anyone is outside the door. I have a gun in the head of my bed and my EDC within easy reach as well.

I live alone and have no one else to defend. I'm not willing to live on constant level orange alert.

I haven't even closed my bedroom door in over two years.

 

[S&W45Colt]

Yes, I lock my door. I also have a fairly comprehensive alarm system etc. It has nothing to do with being on constant alert, in fact it's the opposite. The alarm etc enables me to relax.

This is the 21st century, take advantage of the technology, alarms, door cameras etc are a good thing.

 

[sophie]

Well my house is just a one floor residence and I sleep with all the interior doors open. I can hear what is going on much better.

 

[SMSgt]

No, I do not lock inside doors. Fire/rescue is more likely to have to get in.

 

[Murdock]

An early warning system (like a dog) or electronics as mentioned above will probably be more effective than a locked bedroom door. Lots of good, inexpensive stuff about there to help you.

That said, the door should still be lockable just in case a place of refuge is needed.

 

[Jerry N.]

Interesting conversation. I've always kept my door shut but I think that is to keep light and sound out of the bedroom. I've given a lot of thought to locking the door and even bolstering the lock. The thought being that I would have more time and I would be more certain that a bad guy is on the other side of the door. Let's face it, friend and family are not going to kick down an internal door without announcing themselves in some manner. I pretty much thought once the door opens, action gets taken to stop the threat. Bad logic?

Also, for me, the kids are gone. I would not have the same thought if the kids were in the house and certainly would not be locking my door at night with kids in the house.

 

[Rastoff]

I've never thought about that before. I never close my bedroom door. In fact, it doesn't even have a knob on it.

After some thought, I'd say no. I think it's better to have interior doors open. There should be enough warning when the bad guy breaks in through a window or exterior door.

 

[Bartman3562]

agreed

Interesting conversation. I've always kept my door shut but I think that is to keep light and sound out of the bedroom. I've given a lot of thought to locking the door and even bolstering the lock. The thought being that I would have more time and I would be more certain that a bad guy is on the other side of the door. Let's face it, friend and family are not going to kick down an internal door without announcing themselves in some manner. I pretty much thought once the door opens, action gets taken to stop the threat. Bad logic?

Also, for me, the kids are gone. I would not have the same thought if the kids were in the house and certainly would not be locking my door at night with kids in the house.

That is the logic I was thinking. Our CC instructor even told us in class, that if you know it is a threat, just shoot through the door. My thoughts were it would be better to call 911 and stay behind cover in the bedroom. I feel a lot more comfortable with the 45 trained on the door from behind the waterbed frame, with the wife behind me with her 357 than leaving her there while I wander through the house hoping I come out ahead when TSHTF. I will admit I do not have the training or knowledge to clear a house. Everything in the house except my wife can be replaced.

 

[ralph7]

That is the logic I was thinking. Our CC instructor even told us in class, that if you know it is a threat,
just shoot through the door. My thoughts were it would be better to call 911 and stay behind cover in the bedroom. I feel a lot more comfortable with the 45 trained on the door from behind the waterbed frame, with the wife behind me with her 357 than leaving her there while I wander through the house hoping I come out ahead when TSHTF. I will admit I do not have the training or knowledge to clear a house. Everything in the house except my wife can be replaced.

There is no way I would shoot through a door without being able to see what I was shooting at.

 

[Rastoff]

Our CC instructor even told us in class, that if you know it is a threat, just shoot through the door.

This is horribly bad advice. Some have survived prosecution after shooting through a door, but you've put yourself behind the 8 ball on your defense.

If they are on the other side of the door, how is your life in danger? If you can't see them, how do you know it's a bad guy?

No, never shoot until they get through the door.

 

[KKECK5]

Nope, doors are wide open....Not only can i hear better, but i get a nice cross breeze at night.

 

[Bartman3562]

a threat

This is horribly bad advice. Some have survived prosecution after shooting through a door, but you've put yourself behind the 8 ball on your defense.

If they are on the other side of the door, how is your life in danger? If you can't see them, how do you know it's a bad guy?
Who other than a bad guy would be trying to knock down my bedroom door in the middle of the night without identifying themselves?

No, never shoot until they get through the door.

In Kansas, if in my house in the middle of the night, trying to bust down my locked door, they are a threat and I am legal to protect myself without waiting until they come through the door.

 

[flyrobb]

Bedroom door open and gun loaded on the night stand. 2 dogs in and out, as mentioned a nice breeze with the door open and most importantly when I gotta go... can't have a locked door slowing me down! and no way am I shooting through the door.

 

[djh1765]

Interesting. I never have thought about locking my bedroom door or even closing it at night.
Not sure what that would accomplish. I want to know if someone is in my house that's not supposed to be there and I'm afraid a closed door would stop me from knowing that.

How would you know what is on the other side of that closed door? That is Scary to me. Not knowing.

 

[cmort666]

A tubercular five year old could kick in my bedroom door. I don't make enough money to rebuild my landlord's facilities.

My defense is an active defense.

Aside from people robbing drug dealers and gambling operations, home invaders don't seem to expect serious resistance. Shooting them repeatedly appears to put them seriously off their game.

 

[Ryan.VR6]

Door open here. I do it in the case of someone kicking in the door or breaking a window there is a better chance I would hear them.

 

[John H/PA]

Door always open. In case of an emergency or a breakin, I would want to be able to see, hear, and smell throughout the house. I would not feel comfortable behind a closed door.