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

[Smoke]

I see this here and on other forums all the time, people post that they always answer their door to strangers with a gun in hand, maybe not visible to the person at the door but always in hand.

I was always taught that if you wouldn't do it without a gun you shouldn't do it with a gun so I have to ask, if the person you're opening the door for is that much of a concern that you need to do it with a gun in your hand why even open the door at all?

 

[Krell1]

I think this is the crazy **** that gives gun owners a bad rap. Just because you may have a concealed weapons permit or just keep a gun in the home for protection doesn't mean you have to think you're probably going to have to use it every time you answer the door. Maybe if you feel that way you should move out of the "hood" to someplace you can feel safe.

 

[NMPinNYC]

Answering a door and opening a door, too different things and neither happens without some forethought. Condition yellow, always, unless or until that gets elevated...

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I believe what most people would say is it depends on whether or not you recognize the person or are expecting someone. Obviously if it's a trusted neighbor, or friend/relative, I see no need to be armed. If, however, it's someone you don't know that's a different story. There are many other factors to consider, how many are there?, did they arrive in a vehicle?, if so what kind?, are there others in the car?, what time of day is it?, etc, etc. One size doesn't fit all, just don't ignore your gut and if something seems wrong don't dismiss it. And remember, there's no law that says you can't keep the door closed and ask what he/they want. And there's nothing that says you have to step outside unless you're absolutely sure it's safe to do so. Maintaining the safety of your home comes first, being polite to people at your door comes last.

 

[Badquaker]

I'll bite.....

I approach the door with a gun in my hand. I look out the peephole and see who is there. Depending upon my perceived threat assessment, the gun goes either in my back pocket, or stays in my hand with my hand behind my back. Depending on the perceived threat level, I may open the door fully, or only partially while blocking it with my body. Unless there is a group of unfriendies outside my door, I will speak face to face. My sizable presence and gruff demeanor usually keeps salesman from making a second visit.

As for your question, which I view as somewhat condescending, why carry a gun anywhere? Surely you can avoid all danger...right. I won't tell you that you have to carry a gun, you keep quiet about when I decide to carry. Deal?

 

[smokindog]

I have video and audio for all outside doors. If I can't see or I get no response, I do not answer.

I'll bite.....

I approach the door with a gun in my hand. I look out the peephole and see who is there. Depending upon my perceived threat assessment, the gun goes either in my back pocket, or stays in my hand with my hand behind my back. Depending on the perceived threat level, I may open the door fully, or only partially while blocking it with my body. Unless there is a group of unfriendies outside my door, I will speak face to face. My sizable presence and gruff demeanor usually keeps salesman from making a second visit.

As for your question, which I view as somewhat condescending, why carry a gun anywhere? Surely you can avoid all danger...right. I won't tell you that you have to carry a gun, you keep quiet about when I decide to carry. Deal?

 

[Arik]

To me it depends on the time of day. I don't have a peep hole and can't see the door from the window. My area is a mix of farm land and new developments. Most people around here drive Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche. ..etc..etc..so it's a nice area and I'm not too worried about home invasions. However if my door bell rings at 8pm I'm answering with a snubby in my pocket. Just in case.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Badquaker]

I have video and audio for all outside doors. If I can't see or I get no response, I do not answer.

Sounds prudent.

Sometimes UPS will drop a package at my door, ring the bell, then leave. I usually see the truck driving away as I get to the door.

 

[Protected One]

Answering a door and opening a door, too different things...

You stole my thunder!
Since my crystal ball is broken I don't know when I will or won't need my gun, so I keep it with me everywhere I'm allowed - including home.
Just because I answer the door, doen't mean I'm opening it.

 

[wittmeba]

We live in the Jefferson National Forest and don't have many visitors at all. We also have a lot of glass at the front door area.

We have glass in our front door but mildly obscure so it makes it difficult to distinguish who's there and what they may have in their hand(s).

I believe there may be situations where answering a door may be proper and you may need to be sure (with a gun) you will be safe.

The time would be a factor as to how I would answer a door knock. As would visibility.

You can always yell through a door to ask questions but I may still have metal in my hand just in case.

 

[RevTracy]

I have a motion detector that covers my front walk leading to my door. I know when someone is coming long before they arrive at my door. When they get there they will see a sign that reads, "NO SOLICITATIONS! We will not answer, so don't bother." If someone still rings my doorbell (and I am not expecting someone, or I don't know the person) I ignore them. If they persist, I will open the door slightly gun in hand (but out of sight) and simply ask the person if they didn't see my sign or can't read. In the rare instances that this has happened they usually mumble an apology and wander off.

I live by a simple rule: just because I have a front door and a telephone doesn't mean I have to answer either one. I am VERY protective of my family, my home, and my privacy and I do not invite strangers to invade that privacy. Nor do I give any opportunity to a person or persons intent on harming me or my family a chance to do so.

 

[Smoke]

Answering a door and opening a door, too different things and neither happens without some forethought. Condition yellow, always, unless or until that gets elevated...

When I was a kid I was riding in the car with my mother one night when she had an accident. This was prior to cell phones so I went up to someone's door to call the police.

They came to the door but didn't open it, asked who I was and told me they weren't going to open the door but that they'd be happy to call the police, which they did. The entire transaction took place without them ever opening the door.

 

[Smoke]

I won't tell you that you have to carry a gun, you keep quiet about when I decide to carry. Deal?

Nope, public forum I'll ask the qustions I wish to ask (in accordence with the site rules)

 

[Smoke]

Point of clarification

What I'm talking about is opening the door.

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 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 entirely?

 

[Alk8944]

Speaking as a retired LEO, there is nothing wrong with being prepared. It may sound cliche', but the old saw "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" applies here. Not only do I answer the door armed, I go to the store, work, gas station, camping, fishing, ....... I guess you get the point.

I also carry 2 knives, finger nail clippers, scissors, a small combination tool, a bottle of Nitroglycerine tablets. I don't use most of these daily either, but I have them when needed.

Am I prepared to use it? Absolutely! Do I expect to need it in any of these situations? No! But I have it if needed, just like when I was on the job!

Krell1, Obviously you do not read the paper or listen to the TV news. If you did you may recall a retired SLCPD Officer kidnapped by two prison escapees in Daggett County a few years ago. Another retired SLCPD Officer was murdered in his home in Sandy in January this year. They were both friends I worked with! There are several home invasion robberies reported in the Utah media every month, and these are not all drug related! What part of being prepared to protect yourself in these situations gives gun owners a "bad name"??? The same things are happening daily all around the country!

Be concerned about yourself. Forget what others think, you aren't going to change their minds anyway! They are going to think what they will, whether there is a rational reason for it.

 

[Badquaker]

Nope, public forum I'll ask the qustions I wish to ask (in accordence with the site rules)

I hope that crystal ball you carry will allow you to tell every individual in every different scenario how to protect themselves. I don't have clairvoyance, so I will protect my family how I see fit. Unless you want to come knock on my door.... I will answer.

 

[TexasArmed]

I see this here and on other forums all the time, people post that they always answer their door to strangers with a gun in hand, maybe not visible to the person at the door but always in hand.

I was always taught that if you wouldn't do it without a gun you shouldn't do it with a gun so I have to ask, if the person you're opening the door for is that much of a concern that you need to do it with a gun in your hand why even open the door at all?

I am convinced me not opening the door about a year ago when a hoodlum knocked at 3:00am probably saved his life and me a bit of legal hassle. Instead I stayed inside and waited to see if he would kick the door in. I live in a bad neighborhood but I refuse to run, or to move. It costs money to move, and is a lot of expense and trouble and no guarantee the recycled drug heads won't move into your new neighborhood.

But if it is daytime and someone is persistent I might open
the door but always with my gun on me.

Now if you do see me running anywhere, it would only be because something big is after me and I am out of ammo.
Otherwise I'm not running because I probably could not outrun most bad guys anyway.

 

[Comrad]

 

[Old cop]

If I don't know the person at my door I don't answer it, period.

 

[vytoland]

If I don't know the person at my door I don't answer it, period.

this action is known as....common sense....