[scuba_steve]

I want to share a recent experience I had this Saturday.

It was around noon and I was lying in bed upstairs watching T.V. slightly dosing. Someone rang the doorbell so I got up to see who it was. I knew it was not my wife because my daughter was napping and she would not have rang the door bell. So anyways I come down stairs and through the locked storm door I see a black male, around late 30's, nicely dressed (sweater vest, slacks, and loafers), with a big smile on his face. So what do I do, open the door and immediately he greets me and introduces himself. He is selling magazines and says it counts towards his community service (i know now that doesn't make since). But anyhow, I listen to him talk for about 20 minutes about his life and how this is his second chance to start over. So now I find out this man has been locked up for the last 8.5 years and is on parole from prison. I decided that I would help him; I am all about second chances, so I ordered a couple magazines. He asked if he could come in to use a corner to fill out the paperwork, I told him I was not comfortable with that. He said, ok, no problem and that he understands. He asked for a drink of water so I said no problem and to hang on. He sat on the step and filled out his paperwork and I went down to the garage to grab a bottle of water. I listened vary carefully to make sure the front door didn't open. I also, made a stop by my bedroom and grabbed my pistol and stuck it in the back of my shorts. I went back out, we concluded our business and he left.

My wife came home right before he left.

So I lecture her about opening the door to a stranger everyday and then I do it. What was I thinking; I was home alone with my 17 month old daughter sleeping. Nothing happened and I truly feel the guy meant totally well. But, note the BTK serial killer that stole mail from mailboxes so he new names of the homeowners. That was his in, he spoke to them by the first name and the women thought that they must know him, and well you know the rest.

What are your thoughts on opening the door to strangers? How do you get around speaking through a sheet of glass, it seems so awkward and that is the reason the door always get opened by both my wife and I.

Steve :huh:

 

[GeneticsDave]

I don't answer my door or phone unless I know the person on the other side/end. If it's important I figure they will leave a message, then I can delete it if I don't have the same opinion. I don't believe that we HAVE to answer everything that comes our way - I view it as a violation of my privacy. If I trust the other party and want to talk with them, then sure, otherwise I don't open communication channels.

 

[Cinhil]

Interesting that this came to light today. Just a couple of days ago a young gentleman in my apartment complex, with whom I have done business by selling him knives, rang our doorbell at around 10:30 pm. At first I thought it was my wife joking with me as I was online at the time and not paying attention to the happenings in the front room. But when she repeated that it was not her knocking on the table, but actually the door being knocked upon, along with the look of fear or panic in her eyes and expression as she looked to me for help, that is when I answered the door. It turns out he had seen our light was still on and he wanted to pay us for the the last knife he had purchased.

I guess that it would be best if we all were not so complacent, even if we may live in a more affluent or secure area. We should all be more alert regardless of our surroundings or our comfort in them. I would say be prepared, especially if it is late, and be sure to use the peephole in your door, or talk through the door, or keep the chain on the latch and only crack the door a tad with a foot also at the bottom of the door in order to be more secure when answering the door. Instruct your wives and children in how you want to have these type of situations handled & insist that they follow those rules strictly for their safety and that of your whole family.

Though no harm was intended at my home, the look in my wife's eyes of panic and concern are enough for me to desire to foster greater security for her as she is my responsibility. And I need to create rules to follow now while we are young marrieds so that when we do have children that we, as a family, will be safer.

I encourage all of us to think of this and begin today to create that level of safety and security which will keep your family from harm.

 

[scuba_steve]

Complacency and a false sense of security is the biggest problem. I live in a good neighborhood in Clinton but things still happen. Many people have the, it won't happen to me mentality, myself included. I try to be wary of most people until I know them but usually I open myself up to a vulnerable situation.

Nock nock, Who's there? :gun4: Just someone trying to rob you....

 

[Black Metal]

I always answer my door with a gun on my hip, only after I have seen the peson who is knocking and feel comfortable with the situation. There was only one time that I didn't feel completely comfortable so I told the large man (about 6'6" 245 lbs to hold on a second went into my bedroom put my unloaded p94 on my hip in plain sight and my Rami loaded in my iwb holder at about 6 o'clock on my belt so he could see I was armed and if he decided to go for the gun he could see I could get to the loaded gun before he realized the ruger was empty. Of corse nothing happened, turns out he was with adt selling home alarm systems, the look on his face when he saw the gun on my side was awesome! :lol:

 

[GeneticsDave]

turns out he was with adt selling home alarm systems, the look on his face when he saw the gun on my side was awesome! :lol:

Did you tell him you didn't need a security system cause you have this (patting Ruger on hip)?

 

[Black Metal]

Did you tell him you didn't need a security system cause you have this (patting Ruger on hip)?

No he used the "its connected right to the fire department" pitch lol I think he new my feelings on security.

 

[scuba_steve]

I need to get another OWB holter just for this purpose. oh yeah, and for hiking trips. I can see his face :shock: So if you are married, what does your wife do?

What are the rules for carry in your home? I believe you can pretty much do what you want, right? How about in and about your yard, say not on or past the sidewalk?

 

[Outsider]

I would check through the blinds and when I goto my new town house I'm putting security cameras up where I can see who is at the front door. If no one is there I won't answer the door and if the camera is covered, not going to answer the door. Oh, and the gun will be with me.

What are the rules for carry in your home? I believe you can pretty much do what you want, right? How about in and about your yard, say not on or past the sidewalk?

You can carry whatever you want in your home loaded.

76-10-511. Possession of loaded weapon at residence authorized.
Except for persons described in Section 76-10-503, a person may have a loaded firearm at his place of residence, including any temporary residence or camp.

Temporary includes a hotel/motel in Utah, right?

 

[mchlwise]

I'm of the feeling that you can never be too careful.

Last night, I heard out my bedroom window what sounded like someone banging or knocking on my bar-b-que. I went downstairs with my Beretta and my flashlight. The back door had been left unlocked. I went out and "cleared" the backyard first. Nobody was there. When I came in, I realized that with the back door unlocked, someone could have come in either before I went out, or while I was outside. I came in and had to systematically clear every room in the house before I felt comfortable everything was secure.

You just never know. Someone at your door could be a magazine salesperson, or the first of a home-invasion group. I won't answer the door without being armed.

:dunno:

 

[Black Metal]

I need to get another OWB holter just for this purpose. oh yeah, and for hiking trips. I can see his face :shock: So if you are married, what does your wife do?

What are the rules for carry in your home? I believe you can pretty much do what you want, right? How about in and about your yard, say not on or past the sidewalk?

My wife doesn't answer the door unless she knows the person on the other side. But seeing as she has her permit and firearm I am confident she could handle the situation. You can legally carry and conceal a loaded firearm in your residence or place of business without a permit.

 

[scuba_steve]

:raisedbrow:

 

[Outsider]

Last night, I heard out my bedroom window what sounded like someone banging or knocking on my bar-b-que. I went downstairs with my Beretta and my flashlight. The back door had been left unlocked. I went out and "cleared" the backyard first. Nobody was there. When I came in, I realized that with the back door unlocked, someone could have come in either before I went out, or while I was outside. I came in and had to systematically clear every room in the house before I felt comfortable everything was secure.

I did that just the other week before I got my own gun. I kept hearing a "noise" from the living room so I retrieved my work gun (Glock 17) and flashlight, going into the living room. I found the door unlocked. I locked it and then checked every corner of my home before returning to bed. As you said, you can never be too careful.

 

[scuba_steve]

I can see you tuckin and rollin around every corner of the back yard! :ROFL: :lolbang: :lol3: :lol: :lol2:

Seems like a lot of people leave their doors unlocked. :shock:

 

[Tarzan1888]

I don't answer my door or phone unless I know the person on the other side/end. If it's important I figure they will leave a message, then I can delete it if I don't have the same opinion. I don't believe that we HAVE to answer everything that comes our way - I view it as a violation of my privacy. If I trust the other party and want to talk with them, then sure, otherwise I don't open communication channels.

Ditto

Tarzan

 

[tapehoser]

I don't answer my door or phone unless I know the person on the other side/end. If it's important I figure they will leave a message, then I can delete it if I don't have the same opinion. I don't believe that we HAVE to answer everything that comes our way - I view it as a violation of my privacy. If I trust the other party and want to talk with them, then sure, otherwise I don't open communication channels.

Ditto

Tarzan

Ditto #2.

I once had a knock on the door well after dark. When I approached the door and looked through the glass at the top (yes, I am that tall), there was a hooded stranger standing on my porch with his back toward me. I placed my hand on the grip of my XD and just waited for the person to turn around. After I didn't answer right away, he finally turned around, as if to ring the bell again, and I could see that it was my large polynesian neighbor who was dressed for the cold weather. Scared me to death.

 

[Paul]

I don't answer the door without my gun on me to begin with anyway. Lets all remember also that a tremendous amount of victims of crime, KNOW their attacker. Just cause you know the person at the door doesn't mean you should let your guard down or go unarmed.

 

[scuba_steve]

I don't answer the door without my gun on me to begin with anyway. Let’s all remember also that a tremendous amount of victims of crime, KNOW their attacker. Just cause you know the person at the door doesn't mean you should let your guard down or go unarmed.

Ok, so here is what I was thinking when the guy was at my door. I never fully opened the storm door to him, he would have had to jump back and when he pulled the door open. I figured I could have made grabbed my gun from the back of my pants before then to stop him.

One second thought, after standing there awhile, I starting thinking, this guy is really close to me, within arm’s length. Although, he was 50 lbs less than me and I was taller than him, with a properly place punch, he could have easily knocked my butt out. And then would have had free reign of the house.

For those of who are skeptical of that, I will post a video in a couple of weeks when I get back to work. This guys walks into a gym, asks something, and a big, muscle bound guy starts walking towards him telling him that he could not do whatever he wanted to do. Bam, the dude who just walked in clocks the guy, knocks him out cold, jumps on his chest and continues to beat the crap out of him for 10-15 seconds. Then the attackers buddy says "enough" and they leave.

The whole purpose was to proof a point. That this guy didn't care who did what, he was going to do what he was going to do.

My point is that having 12 rounds of .45ACP ammo on your hip does not make us invincible, especially if the enemy knows we have it.

 

[Black Metal]

My point is that having 12 rounds of .45ACP ammo on your hip does not make us invincible, especially if the enemy knows we have it.

and thats why I used an empty gun on my hip and a concealed gun loaded with 11rds of 9mm

 

[whiptrackercracker]

On average, I stay in the street CCW condition even while at my place of residence, whereever that happens to be. I only tend to change that during beddy bye time. If there is a knock at the door at late hours, I always conceal back up before answering. Then I can go through the routine of checking and decision. At that point, I have to decide to answer, if it truly is desired, usually not though. I had one occasion where I was home from the range cleaning my pistol. I was done and just fluffing up the feed ramp a bit. It was probably about 10:30 at night. I heard two people outside the door knocking, so I brought the slide back on an locked it down. I dropped a round in, holstered, and went to the door. I looked through the peep to see two men in kackis walking away. I opened up and yelled to the men to see what they want. Apparently the door to the apartment lets a bit of noise through as they told me they could hear I was busy. Opps. Never did find out what they were selling, but I'd rather be ready then not. Too many crimes happen at the front doors. Gotta always use your head and avoid getting too comfortable that one forgets the simple routines. To me its natural now to respond to the door in that manner. I know a few friends think and see me as insane, but I'd rather be careful then injured or dead. Heck 'even the paranoid have enemies'.....Mr H. Kissinger.