[pegasus]

This thread was inspired by a recent thread in which a teen was shot/killed by a homeowner when he came knocking.

I've heard similar stories before which have always left me rather puzzled because while I always have my LCP in my pocket, I've never answered the door with a firearm drawn, nor would I open the door for anybody I presume might wish to do me harm.

Was this the story of the teen who was shot thru a closed door? I remember a thread about a case like that, but it wasn't recent.

The most recent thread I'm aware of wasn't knocking but ringing a doorbell and then they ran off. While it's understandable that this is annoying, that is not a defense to shooting them by itself.

 

[maloy]

I have had a gun on me even when it has been the police.

Maloy

 

[Tracker627]

I have a 360 degree view of our property with our Ring Cam's. If I don't know you or like how you look I don't open the door.

 

[Czechbikr]

This thread was inspired by a recent thread in which a teen was shot/killed by a homeowner when he came knocking.

I've heard similar stories before which have always left me rather puzzled because while I always have my LCP in my pocket, I've never answered the door with a firearm drawn, nor would I open the door for anybody I presume might wish to do me harm.

I'm in the same state of mind. My firearm is always on my person but would only present it if the need arise. I've got glass in the doors so can easily observe the caller if I decide to open it to interact.

 

[pegasus]

Last week I went to a neighbors house, and when he answered the door he had a high powered rifle in his hands, even though he knew it was me. (actually because he knew it was me)
His first words were, "Hey ------, check out what I won at the Sportsman's raffle."

 

[Echo40]

I'm in the same state of mind. My firearm is always on my person but would only present it if the need arise. I've got glass in the doors so can easily observe the caller if I decide to open it to interact.

Exactly! I can't wrap my head around opening the door to a stranger when you can easily speak to them from behind a locked door and view them through the window. If they break the glass or start kicking the door in, then it's going to be a lot easier for you and your attorney to make the case that any shots fired were done in self defense.

 

[DeltaBravoKS]

I rarely open the door, but every once in a while I have a lapse in judgment and open it. I do not answer the door with a gun, but I've thought about maybe holding a shotgun when I answer the door.

A couple weeks ago there was a (I later figured out) process server looking for someone who didn't live at my house. My porch is about 6 feet deep and covers the entire front of the house. In front of the porch is the sidewalk that extends from the driveway, with about a 10-inch step up to the porch. If I do open the door for anyone, I almost always command them to step back off the porch. In this case, the woman was advancing to the door and I yelled, very sternly, GET BACK! My wife happened to be home at the time and thought I was a bit abrasive. I told her that the person was advancing and I don't want anyone getting that close to me. Our storm door is never locked, but I locked it immediately after I pulled the door open. If someone had been hiding there, they could have easily opened the storm door as soon as I pulled the door open and could have compromised our safety--not too wise on my part. I wish I could remotely lock the storm door before opening the front door.

 

[brojohn]

....and a big 10-4 on cameras....4 around the house and one on the door.
Ring and Blink.....they are more than worth it

 

[DeltaBravoKS]

....and a big 10-4 on cameras....4 around the house and one on the door.
Ring and Blink.....they are more than worth it

I probably have a 200 degree view of my home using Ring cameras. However, they are so unreliable, I would never recommend them.

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

We've seen a few posts in this thread about unreliable home security systems. Rather than cause this thread to off topic, I started a new thread in the Lounge about it. Please visit and share your experiences there. Inquiring minds, mine among them, want to know more.

https://www.taurusarmed.net/threads/home-security-camera-systems.451668/

 

[brojohn]

We have Blink battery operated around the house- only issue ever....is that occasionally a battery will need changing. But we have spares available.
No issue with the Ring so far. They've been there 2 years...maybe 3.

 

[lee n. field]

This thread was inspired by a recent thread in which a teen was shot/killed by a homeowner when he came knocking.

I've heard similar stories before which have always left me rather puzzled because while I always have my LCP in my pocket, I've never answered the door with a firearm drawn, nor would I open the door for anybody I presume might wish to do me harm.

Gun's always on me, so yes, I answer the door with a gun handy.

 

[WellArmed]

Yes, if I'm already dressed with a firearm holstered to my side. No, if I'm not already carrying a firearm. I'm not paranoid to the point where I feel the need to run and grab a gun everytime my doorbell rings or someone knocks. If it's gotten to that point, either it's time for someone to move or stop selling drugs. That said, I look through the blinds or peephole first, and I don't answer the door for people I don't know or the phone for numbers I don't recognize.

 

[gunnerbone]

We live in a low crime area, but we never answer the door for someone we are not expecting.

 

[cnc1]

Normally no guns, unless it is late at night. But we do have a large can of bear pepper spray right by the door.

 

[6Sally5]

Our 3 German shepherds ensure whoever is at the door is someone they approve. Gun is not necessary.

 

[thecarmickle6]

If I am not in bed, I have a gun on my side, period. So if I answer the door, it naturally comes along. That said, I live in a rural area with a 150 yard driveway, with a gate and 3 great pyrenes. I don't get much foot traffic.

 

[Tinyman]

POGO -- Pants On, Gun On. If neckid, one is next to the front door.

 

[Firstborn Seraph]

We don’t ever open the door for people we don’t know, we just yell through the door. If that’s not good enough for them, it wasn’t that important.

never really had anybody knock on the door at night that I can remember. Probably wouldn’t do anything differently

 

[mikiier22]

video doorbell and camera system, a "entry room" with window so no hiding or taping over doorbell, a metal security screen door and metal "front" door", and firearm available. urban area with problematic folks.