I have to ask this question (answering your door armed)

[Doug M.]

The joys of a 6' fence, a padlocked gate, and a really large and intolerant dog are substantial. Before the fence and gate, since I did not wear a holster in the house, I would go to the door and yell through it, and yeah, I had a gun in my hand. The house was/is posted no trespassing, so even coming to to the door is a crime, and all these layers just give me more evidence of ill-intent, non-compliance, or whatever you want to call it. Risk indicators, anyway.

I worked a lot of nights. I did not want to be awakened, and I did not want anyone to feel comfortable coming to my home. I am not a fan of people, and very few are welcome to enter my personal space. If that means hurting someone's feelings, boo-freakin'-hoo. Admittedly, most home invasions are not random, but statistics are not a means upon which one should rely to be comfortable and safe.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Condition yellow, always, unless or until that gets elevated...

This ^

And since I habitually carry, I'm carrying when there's a knock on the door, too.

 

[Voyager28]

I keep a pistol inconspicuously placed within reach of the front door all the time. I can easily see anyone at my door and, if I don't know them the door doesn't get opened. Should they choose to force entry they're in for a really big surprise.

Bob



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Rastoff]

I'm not saying don't go to the door unarmed I'm saying if you are cautious enough to be armed why open the door in the first place?

This was answered earlier on.

First you answer the door by communicating to the stranger (they're all strangers until you know who it is) through a closed door. Then, if the stranger turns out to be less of a threat, you open it.

An unannounced knock should be putting us all in ORANGE. Because it's unexpected, it is a potential threat. Once communication is made, then you can ratchet back down to YELLOW.

Cameras are a really good thing. A knock at the front door could be a diversion for the guy breaking in the back. A camera showing both doors could prepare you for this.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I installed a system that has camra's that show the front yard, driveway, front door & back door.
It records when movement in the range I have it set up for and a alarm then.
Also two dogs that bark at anyone coming close.
I still have a revolver on my person in the house all the time.

Must be that old Boy Scout thing in me. "Be Prepared"

 

[Mcwsky09]

I installed a system that has camra's that show the front yard, driveway, front door & back door.
It records when movement in the range I have it set up for and a alarm then.
Also two dogs that bark at anyone coming close.
I still have a revolver on my person in the house all the time.

Must be that old Boy Scout thing in me. "Be Prepared"

I have started looking into something like that. Thinking four cameras maybe. Could put one on the garage facing the back of the house and one each front and back high enough so they can't easily be tampered with and onE up the driveway. Would prefer something I can view from my phone and or Mac so when I am in my office and there is a knock or a ring I can tell if it is a delivery or what. Since I work at home, and the wife has access to credit cards, we get a lot of packages delivery by a variety of methods, predominately USPS, UPS and FedEx, but occasionally others. Priority mail generally mean a knock at the side door. Also get LOTS of solicitors. I do buy the occasional candy bar as I know it can be tough for kids doing fundraisers, but some of them I wonder if they didn't just go to the store and buy a bunch of candy (or steal it) and the funds being raised are for themselves.
My parents live around the corner and there have been items stolen from cars recently.
Times sure have changed from when I was a kid. I used to have a paper route and used to sell Christmas stationary and wrapping etc to get prizes and everyone one three streets pretty much knew everyone else.

 

[gm272gs]

You guys are all pretty scary.

I typically never answer my door in time (before whomever is there, gives up and walks away).
That works for me.

 

[Donn]

Unless I recognize the face thru the peep hole, or the name/number on the caller ID, I don't answer the door or the phone.

 

[vito]

I little extra caution doesn't hurt anybody. I rarely have anyone knock at my front door (its actually hard for strangers to figure out where my front door is from the area where they would park their car) so I am especially vigilant when I hear the doorbell ring or hear a knock.

I also always have a gun with me when I am selling anything on Craigslist and a potential buyer comes to my home to look at it. The item is always in my garage, never the house proper. When my doorbell is rung I answer through the closed and locked door that the buyer should come around the house to the garage. I have never had a problem at all, but having a concealed gun while the buyer looks at the merchandise makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

 

[agwoodard]

If you ignore the sign that says

Absolutely NO TRESPASSING
I don't want to buy anything or upgrade my cable.
I don't want to hear about your political party, candidate or sign your petition.
I am not interested in your religion, my salvation or your God.
If you do not have a Warrant you are TRESPASSING and will be dealt with accordingly.
Failure to read, speak and understand English may affect your ability to get treatment at the Emergency Room.

Then there are the security cameras. 6 of them. 4 I can see from my easy chair. 2 I can see from my shop in the garage.

When I wake up, I gun up, and I stay that way until I undress for bed. It never used to be this way, but we had a criminal enterprise move in to the last house on our little street about a year and a half ago. I have photos of them shooting up right in front of my home. 3 of 5 houses on our street have been burglarized. All of them have been vandalized. The police from another town raided the house last August and arrested 3 of the 10 people that go in or out of there each day. Two were charged with 17 and 21 counts of burglary. One with 4 counts. It didn't even slow them down. 6 to 10 cars a night drive in, don't even turn off the engine and then 5 minutes later, drive out. We find needles on the street. I've supplied the police with photos of them dealing, license plate numbers, surveillance video and even offered them my garage to set up surveillance. Maybe they are building a case against them, but so far, we live every day in fear that when we get home from work, out house will again be broken into.

Yeah, you knock on my door, and I don't know who you are, I will answer it with a gun in my hand. Not holstered and not out of sight. If that makes you pee your pants, wear an adult diaper if you are going to go door to door on my street. We gave up on the Neighborhood Watch nonsense and formed a Neighborhood Militia.

 

[pawncop]

As others have stated, and I have posted earlier evil can show up any where, any time, and does not announce.

I have posted previously I am dealing with unexpected visitors. I have folks to prison and they were not happy about it.

 

[Smoke]

When I started this thread I focused on the wrong thing having a gun in your hand, what I was trying to point out was the opening the door thing.

My point is armed or not if you open the door you're giving the (potential) bad guy an entry to your home that he wouldn't have had and possibly setting yourself up for a fight that could have easily been avoided or happened with you at a much greater advantage because while the bad guy is trying to beat down your door and you're taking cover and getting into good supported firing position and getting the cops on the horn.

I said up thread that I used to be one of those meat salesmen; I didn't do it long because it's basically Amway with a truck but I did it long enough to see that the guys that made money on it were the ones that got you to open your door and did not leave until you bought something.Plus the guys that I saw that did it for a living weren't above a little petty thievery so why let them see what you have?

For salesmen my rule is they knock, I ask who it is and as soon as they say "I'm selling whatever" I say "Not interested, have a nice day." The first rule of sales is to keep the conversation going, pretty hard to do with a closed door.

So leaving the gun completely out of the equation my question is why open the door?

 

[ridgewalker]

Smoke, I get your point, appreciate it, and agree with it.
However, I will admit that I have been a bit amused by your exasperation on how this thread has turned. This is after all a gun forum, so don't be surprised if most of the answers turn out as they have with guys talking about their guns. Perhaps if you posted this question on the Anderson Window and Doors Forum, you won't get quite so many armed citizens answering the door.

This will probably stir up the pot even more, but I was wondering about the possible legal ramifications of answering the door with a loaded gun. I am sure this would vary regionally and I realize most people said they have their gun hidden behind their back but there might be some scenarios in which you could be in legal jeopardy. For example, what if the police are at your door, conducting a house to house search for a dangerous criminal. Yes I realize this is unlikely, but didn't it happen in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

 

[TexasArmed]

If you ignore the sign that says

Absolutely NO TRESPASSING
I don't want to buy anything or upgrade my cable.
I don't want to hear about your political party, candidate or sign your petition.
I am not interested in your religion, my salvation or your God.
If you do not have a Warrant you are TRESPASSING and will be dealt with accordingly.
Failure to read, speak and understand English may affect your ability to get treatment at the Emergency Room.

Then there are the security cameras. 6 of them. 4 I can see from my easy chair. 2 I can see from my shop in the garage.

When I wake up, I gun up, and I stay that way until I undress for bed. It never used to be this way, but we had a criminal enterprise move in to the last house on our little street about a year and a half ago. I have photos of them shooting up right in front of my home. 3 of 5 houses on our street have been burglarized. All of them have been vandalized. The police from another town raided the house last August and arrested 3 of the 10 people that go in or out of there each day. Two were charged with 17 and 21 counts of burglary. One with 4 counts. It didn't even slow them down. 6 to 10 cars a night drive in, don't even turn off the engine and then 5 minutes later, drive out. We find needles on the street. I've supplied the police with photos of them dealing, license plate numbers, surveillance video and even offered them my garage to set up surveillance. Maybe they are building a case against them, but so far, we live every day in fear that when we get home from work, out house will again be broken into.

Yeah, you knock on my door, and I don't know who you are, I will answer it with a gun in my hand. Not holstered and not out of sight. If that makes you pee your pants, wear an adult diaper if you are going to go door to door on my street. We gave up on the Neighborhood Watch nonsense and formed a Neighborhood Militia.

Sounds like you have had enough. I won't move somewhere else because the problems are spreading. I see recycled criminals every time one publication comes out who commit
new burglaries, new crimes, new crimes of violence. The jails are full. The police can arrest them but the justice system turns them loose. I can't fix the problems.

But I will not warn anyone that I am home, I will not announce
that I am calling the police. I will deal with any problems that
break through my door, I will not replace the door since I rent
an apartment and I don't own it. I would rather not announce
to one that I am not home and have him come back tomorrow and burglarize my house when I don't announce next time.
So if the criminals won't to play Russian roulette, that's their
problem. Yes I might have to go in front of a grand jury but I will not be a victim just so the justice system can recycle them,
profit from bonding them in and out of jail repetitively, and while they keep turning them loose to prey upon the weak.
I am thankful for the laws we have in Texas and I am unwilling
to move to any other state. One way in, one way out, and if
the door comes down, whoever takes it down will go down with the door.

 

[snubbyfan]

Sounds like some of you guys need to join me out here in a small mountain town in West Virginia.
Since I do custom leatherwork it's not uncommon for some hillbilly to come knocking on my door carrying guns and knives. Generally I expect them. Either they we referred to me by somebody else I've done work for or they got one of my cards at one of the area fairs and festivals I set up at.
We also get young entrepreneurs asking if the could shovel snow off our walk or mow our lawn.
I don't feel compelled to answer or open the door with a gun in my hand.
Violent crime here is nearly non-existent and we have many retired and disabled people in town. There are young people here but they were brought up and disciplined in an 'old school' fashion.
People do business face to face and a handshake still means something.
I've said it before, give me a 'backward' small West Virginia town any day over the big city.

 

[Smoke]

However, I will admit that I have been a bit amused by your exasperation on how this thread has turned.

My exasperation is more with my inability to get my point across than with the way the thread went.

 

[Doug M.]

This will probably stir up the pot even more, but I was wondering about the possible legal ramifications of answering the door with a loaded gun. I am sure this would vary regionally and I realize most people said they have their gun hidden behind their back but there might be some scenarios in which you could be in legal jeopardy. For example, what if the police are at your door, conducting a house to house search for a dangerous criminal. Yes I realize this is unlikely, but didn't it happen in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

*
I am not likely to feel threatened by uniformed police coming to the door, so that part is no biggy. And most of them would also answer the door armed, so also no biggy.

As for the other portion, there is usually a defense in state law, either by statute or case law. For example, here in WA, we have: RCW 9.41.270
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.


(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:

(a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business;

(b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;

(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;

(d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or

(e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.

This is a complete defense, not an affirmative defense, so the conduct is completely lawful. An LEO taking action against a person whose conduct is covered by this statute would be in a really bad jam. Besides that - address safety first; litigate later.

 

[cmort666]

This will probably stir up the pot even more, but I was wondering about the possible legal ramifications of answering the door with a loaded gun. I am sure this would vary regionally and I realize most people said they have their gun hidden behind their back but there might be some scenarios in which you could be in legal jeopardy. For example, what if the police are at your door, conducting a house to house search for a dangerous criminal. Yes I realize this is unlikely, but didn't it happen in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

In Ohio, if you're not a prohibited person, it has NO "legal ramifications".

And I've had the police come to my door sans warrant. The door stayed closed and them on the opposite side.

 

[bgrone]

Sounds like some of you guys need to join me out here in a small mountain town in West Virginia.
Since I do custom leatherwork it's not uncommon for some hillbilly to come knocking on my door carrying guns and knives. Generally I expect them. Either they we referred to me by somebody else I've done work for or they got one of my cards at one of the area fairs and festivals I set up at.
We also get young entrepreneurs asking if the could shovel snow off our walk or mow our lawn.
I don't feel compelled to answer or open the door with a gun in my hand.
Violent crime here is nearly non-existent and we have many retired and disabled people in town. There are young people here but they were brought up and disciplined in an 'old school' fashion.
People do business face to face and a handshake still means something.
I've said it before, give me a 'backward' small West Virginia town any day over the big city.

Sounds like a little bit of heaven. My wife's ancestors came from Ripley, and we hope to visit WV when she is well enough, I would also like to visit Wayne Novak's shop. Are you in the Northern or Eastern Panhandle?


Jim in Iowa

 

[snubbyfan]

Sounds like a little bit of heaven. My wife's ancestors came from Ripley, and we hope to visit WV when she is well enough, I would also like to visit Wayne Novak's shop. Are you in the Northern or Eastern Panhandle?


Jim in Iowa

I'm in the Eastern Panhandle.