To open the door - Or NOT to open the door - that is the question

[rainbowbob]

Over and over I read posts that include statements like..."It was after midnight when we heard a loud knock on the door. With my [insert favorite pistol model here] held down at my side, I opened the door and asked them what they wanted..."

This subject has come up many times in various threads - but I haven't seen one devoted specifically to this question.

So rather than hi-jack another thread, I thought I'd start a new one with a poll.

Here are some of my thoughts on the subject. I'd like to hear yours.

When I was a teenager, the Scout Master of my Boy Scout troop had to quit, and the troop broke up before I made Eagle Scout (at least that's the excuse I'm going with).

Nevertheless, I do believe in helping others. I think it is a natural instinct for most of us.

BUT...I have become convinced over the years that there are enough inherently evil people out there that prey on your and my good will to make it imprudent to open the door to anyone without a VERY good reason.

Maybe it's living in a city for too long that convinced me - maybe it's too much cable TV - and maybe it's just that I've been taken gross advantage of one too many times by people working my sympathy nerve.

As a result, I have decided I would NEVER open the door for a stranger without a VERY compelling reason. For me, this would have to be a woman and/or child in real distress. I would want to be able to identify them and determine what the situation was BEFORE the door was unlocked. I would even be wary of a young woman alone unless I was absolutely convinced she was in distress. She could be a shill with the BF lurking out of sight.

I'm not talking about cowering in fear in our houses. But something as simple as looking out the window or peep-hole and getting a clear assessment of the situation at the very least seems like a reasonable precaution.

After that, it is a matter of gut-feeling I guess as to whether the person on the other side of the door is truly in distress or not.

If their car is broken down, I would suggest they wait in their car while I call AAA, a tow-truck, or the police. If they are for real they should appreciate the assistance. Of course most people have a cell phone these days (I think I was one of the last people on the planet to get one) - so there is almost no occasion for someone to need to use your phone.

Maybe I'm overly cautious - but if a knock on the door in the middle of the night warrants having a gun in my hand - then it warrants using extreme caution before I ever unlock and open the door.

 

[Keith Wheeler]

Opening the door or not, you need to let your presence be known. The once or twice I've dealt with unexpected visitors, the door isn't opened but a strong "who is there?" in a commanding voice is issued. (This sounds silly, but no contractions. In my opinion more formal phrasing creates a more commanding tone.) Not letting them know you are there and are prepared to deal with them may result in some other mischief.

 

[poker88]

I choose almost always but I'm not sure that's an accurate answer. I always check out the person from a window before I open the door. During the day I will almost always open the door. During the night I will tend to not open the door if I don't recognize the person.

 

[jad0110]

I almost never open the door. But I very rarely have total strangers knocking on my door anyway (maybe once per year). The only time I did open the door for someone I did not know was when the gentleman said he had heard from <insert names of 3 guys I know well in my neighborhooed) that I had a ladder that could reach the eves of a two story house (which I do), so he could do so roof repairs after a bad storm we had (yes, it was ugly). That, and his demeanor told me it was cool (and after a minute I recognized the guy anyway), so I came around to the garage, loaned the ladder and got it back an hour later.

I did have my 642 in my pocket when I first answered the door though, as I always do.

My wife used to be the exact opposite. She would open the friggin' door for total strangers without even looking. One time, in her own words, the guy was "acting strange" :banghead: ! I got pretty [angry] at her that night (I was not at home). At least she looks before opening now.

 

[XLMiguel]

We have a glass strom & front (frosted) door, with a well-lit stoop, so I can pretty much see who/how many is out there. It's a nice, quiet neighborhood so I don't worry too much during the day, though I often have something in my pocket if it's someone I don't. In the evenening I almost always anser the door [discretely] armed.

I got re-interested in guns after a couple of meatballs tried to push their way into my house late one afternoon back in VA. I used to work from home, there was a street light right in front of our house, (which was a block and a half off RT 66), so it was a popular place to break down. Over time, I've called AAA, etc., for a lot of people, and had a couple of mommies & kids wait in the living room if they brode down & the weather was bad, no problems until that one afternoon.

A beat-up Celica pulled up under the street light and two guys got out, popped the hood and headed straight for my door. Odd, me thinks, as they didn't even look at anything under the hood and went to ringing my bell. I opened the door a enough to hear what they had to say - ' our car's broke down, can we come in & use the phone?'

I explained I was there alone, they can't come in, but I'd be happy to call the local Mobil station (3 blocks away) or anyone they'd like me to call, but you can't come in. They got more & more insistent, and I just said, "nope, not coming in-". After the third go round, one tried to push his way in, but I had my foot firmly braced on the bottom of the door. He sort of got his arm and shoulder in when I went into linebacker mode and slammed the door on him (I'm 6'3", 250#). He yowled and I let up enough for him to get his arm back, and I slammed the door and locked it. I yelled I was "calling the policia, and I'm sure they can help you . . . " It was amazing how quickly that car got well and they disappeared. I went out and bought myself a SIG 228 that weekend, and have been practicing regularly ever since. Chance favors the prepared mind . . .

The other benefit of answering the door visibly armed is that the proselytizers always accept the first "no thank you" . . .

 

[Willis]

Open the door

My wife and I have had several middle of the night knocks at the door. Each time I have gotten my pistol and stood by. My wife says who is there? We figure that if the person on the outside is not a problem he will state his problem. If he is up to no good, then he is not going to know what he is up against and we will find out without showing our hand. I am glad to say that so far it has always been just someone with a problem.

Willis

 

[ctdonath]

Never had anyone knock after midnight. The two dogs wildly barking would probably be enough to deter anyone with ill intent. (The dogs may be small, 20-25lbs each, but provide more yapping & snapping chaos than intrusion is worth.) Probably would take the AR with me if they persisted. Not likely to open the door.

Daytime I'd probably open up ... but still the dogs provide major deterrent to ill intent.

There's easier pickin's elsewhere.

 

[XD9sc]

Our dining room window looks out to our front porch so I always look out it. If it's not a delivery person with an identified truck outside, then I speak to them thru the window. I never open the door to anyone I don't know.

 

[Treo]

I'm W/ XD9 I have a window next to the front door I can conduct my business through that

 

[Huckle2]

My 92lb German Shepherd always beats me to the door.
I love watching the expression on peoples face as I hold him by the collar and point to the "no soliciting" sign.

 

[rainbowbob]

My 92lb German Shepherd always beats me to the door.

I'm sure that works well for solicitors. My concern is that a determined invader could neutralize your beloved dog in a flash.

 

[545days]

I didn't answer the poll because my answer is a definite maybe. I can't say no to everyone, because I believe that I am obligated to help my fellow man. I can't say yes to everyone, because some in some situations I am simply not going to open the door.

I do believe that a good storm door, locked and opening outward is an often overlooked security measure. Any kick burglars or home invaders have to break the storm door first, and that big old piece of aluminum and glass is NOT going to go quietly. That gives me another couple of seconds warning that I can use to prepare a proper greeting.

The loud protective dog doesn't hurt either.

 

[rondog]

I may answer the door, but if anyone tries to barge in the first thing they'll see is a bright red laser in their eyes, and a big, dark .45 caliber tube right behind it.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I would say no. Most of us have doors that can still be shouted through. You can have a whole conversation while behind the locked door. If you don't have a peephole and/or overlooking windows, remedy that ASAP. Talk with the stranger while the door is still sealed, and visually verify they are who they say they are, and alone.

 

[Mousegun]

I have an attached garage and if someone knocks at the door late at night, I go to the garage and pull the door release cord. Then I open the door by hand in a dark garage with a protective device in my hand and demand to know who, what where, when and why.

 

[weisse52]

ALMOST ALWAYS.

But that comes with conditions. I live in a very safe area, I have two Great Danes that seem to discourge people coming to my door. I always am armed I am 6'3" and 245. I never open the door without blocking door with my foot and talk "around" the door. Enough for one or both Danes to stick a barking head out.

So yes, almost always.

 

[rainbowbob]

Interesting and varied responses so far.

If you count "Only after making certain it is a woman or child in dire distress" and "Almost never" as virtually the same response - we are running about 60/40 against opening the door.

That is more door-openers than I would have expected, frankly.

 

[weisse52]

I think a big part is where you live. When I lived in Cleveland Ohio I would have never opened the door.
And that included women and children!

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Almost never.

 

[Mt Shooter]

rainbow, I think it was my thread that you are thinking about as I think mine was the most recent one.

In review during the day ya I would open the door. I could see what was going on everywhere and who knows, maybe they are in real need of help.

At night, I think I would have a hand gun with me, but talk through the closed door. In the mean time get the police on the phone. If they are someone in need the police would be the ones to help them. If they have something else in mind then the police is what I need.

 

[loneviking]

Yeah, I open the door, but not the one they expect. I have several doors that lead outside and I'll flank 'em. Then, when the encounter is on MY terms, I'll ask them who they are and what do they want while keeping the .357 very close at hand.

 

[GRB]

I voted almost never, but only with the understanding you meant opening the door to a stranger who knocked in the middle of the night. I'd just sleep though it, let the dogs handle it, or let the wife wake me. Really, I would not open it in the middle of the night for a stranger in most cases.

On the other hand, I have numerous times gone outside to assist those I thought were in danger. A woman screaming and pleading for help and to 'get him off of me' - I found nothing that time, but had called police and told them I would be out there. Things something along those lines.

As for the ALMOST never part, meaning yes I would open it sometimes: Someone screaming for help and banging on my door now - it would get a good look see out of the upstairs window with the big mag light. A call to the police by my wife or son or me at the same time as the look see. Me arming myself for sure. Me asking the person to come into plain sight, and a good examination of them from afar - are they wounded, is someone pummeling them, what is happening. I'll be damned if I open my door to help someone like that without a good checking out of the situation first. Then again, you must remember while they bang on my front door, I can exit another, and come round to confront them all the while having backup at one of my windows. Could it be a ruse to rob me, sure, but me answering the door armed, and my son or wife for back-up, with my dogs barking and growling, with police on the way; I would possibly take the chance.

Heck it could be a neighbor, it could be one of you, it could be a real victim of a nasty dirtbag, and I cannot stand for seeing someone be just another victim of a violent crime if I can help stop it; but as I said I would have to satisfy myself first that this was truly the case.

All the best,
GB

 

[Travlin]

I had too many strangers acting "strange" coming to my door. I replaced the storm door with a security door. It looks like decorative wrought iron grill work, but is strong steel. I can open the wooden inner door to talk and know that no one is coming in. I can leave it open in the summer for ventilation and feel secure. Home Depot has them starting under $400.

In most cities it is simply not safe to "open the door" to stranger, even if you are armed.

 

[Treo]

To all those that stand behind the door block it W/ their body, has it occured to you that there's only a certain amount of space behind that door foor you to fit in, and it wouldn't be too hard for a bad guy to blow a hole in both you and the door at the same time.

 

[rainbowbob]

I replaced the storm door with a security door. It looks like decorative wrought iron grill work, but is strong steel...I can leave it open in the summer for ventilation and feel secure. ...Home Depot has them starting under $400.

Good tip for secure cross-ventilation - thanks.