Answering the door while armed.

[RetiredUSNChief]

This not about justifying what happened in the video--the point is that there are lessons to be learned.

Absolutely. And I see by the responses here that, as usual, everybody has an opinion and some opinions seem to be opposing.

Here's mine:

Use your brain, and use it wisely. There is no 100% correct pat answer that will work best in all circumstances.

If the circumstances call for not answering, or even acknowledging, the door, then do so.

If the circumstances to seem to warrant answering the door, then do that.

Realize that no matter what choice you make, there may still be an element of risk involved. It's your job to evaluate the potential risks and make your decision accordingly. Once you make your decision and act, you've accepted whatever risks/consequences of those actions.

Realize also that even if you take all the "correct" actions, you may STILL end up drawing the short straw and possibly end up very dead.

As Captain Picard once told Data in an episode of STTNG where Data had lost a game to an opponent:

"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life."

 

[papajim2jordan]

i never have understood that one.

Don't understand how an individual's assessment, based on personal experience, would be a deciding factor in how that person's life should be lived? Or don't know what SOP is?

 

[Kleanbore]

Don't understand how an individual's assessment, based on personal experience, would be a deciding factor in how that person's life should be lived? Or don't know what SOP is?

The former.

That one might have "felt comfortable" (so far) with something says absolutely nothing about the prudence of that something, or about what may happen in the future,

 

[papajim2jordan]

The former.

That one might have "felt comfortable" (so far) with something says absolutely nothing about the prudence of that something, or about what may happen in the future,

If you have reliable data on future events, you should do well in the stock market. I am not competent to judge others judgement. Not up to me to decide what's best for anyone else. That works in both directions, for everyone, at all times. What If someone here were to think you're just being paranoid? Would you adjust your SOP to conform to their wishes? I hope not.

Matthew 7:1

 

[papajim2jordan]

I should be a bit more cautious here, however. I was kicked off the LGC for disagreeing with one of the moderators. Still, I answer the door.

 

[Kleanbore]

I am not competent to judge others judgement. Not up to me to decide what's best for anyone else.

Agree--but that is not the issue at all.

 

[papajim2jordan]

If I have understood correctly, this particular bit (thread?) is about answering one's door when there's a caller come a knocking. There's offerings as to what any one individual posting here might or might not do. There's stories that relate to what has happened. Stories (and I don't mean to imply non-factual) as to what could happen, should, did, did not... All well and good. It's useful to hear from many vantage points. Each has something of value for inspection. I see no "issue" here, just observation. The experience's of others, how they deal(t) with situations, some head-on, others stayed back, assessing their own unique experience as it happened. I have an advantage over many others. I am loved by everyone who meets me in person, as I am gregarious, entertaining, good looking, and just an all around hell of a guy. That is why I can open doors/conversations with the confidence that I will not be harmed. It's a gift.

It isn't fair, is it?

 

[Kleanbore]

Still, I answer the door.

So do I. Whether I open it, or position myself directly in front of to it, depends on who is at the door.

I see no "issue" here, just observation.

By "issue", I referred to the idea that "feeling comfortable" with something could make it viable.

I have an advantage over many others. I am loved by everyone who meets me in person, as I am gregarious, entertaining, good looking, and just an all around hell of a guy.

That is irrelevant to the discussion.

That is why I can open doors/conversations with the confidence that I will not be harmed. It's a gift.

Come now!

 

[Rockrivr1]

I should be a bit more cautious here, however. I was kicked off the LGC for disagreeing with one of the moderators. Still, I answer the door.

I believe I responded to your post and that was removed as well. Guess we broke a rule. Not sure what, but something.

 

[The Night Rider]

The idea that location can keep a person safe from harm is sort of problematic. A bit of research on the Petit family murders should be convincing.

I'm not sure which of the two convicts admitted this but Mrs Pettit and her younger daughter were in a grocery store and the daughter caught the eye of one of the two and he decided he wanted to rape her, an eleven year old. So they followed mom and the little girl home.

How do you take precautions against something like that?

Apparently this is a popular discussion because there's a bunch of threads down at the bottom of the page dealing with how to answer your door.

I've said this before but we have a rain camera we can answer the door without ever leaving the living room.

And as others have pointed out sometimes criminals will knock on your door if nobody answers they'll break in. We can make sure they're nowhere here using the ring doorbell camera again, without ever leaving the living room

 

[Berserker]

I like to answer it in my underwear. No one notices if I have a gun or not. Element of surprise

 

[Rockrivr1]

I like to answer it in my underwear. No one notices if I have a gun or not. Element of surprise

Let me guess? Undersized tighty whities?

 

[jmorris]

I have motion sensors starting at the front gate. No one ever makes it to the door before we do.

I would think that part of EDC is being armed while doing lots of different stuff during the day/night.

 

[Berserker]

Let me guess? Undersized tighty whities?

No one lunges for my gun

 

[papajim2jordan]

I never considered what tactical advantage my bunny slippers might afford, till now.

 

[papajim2jordan]

So do I. Whether I open it, or position myself directly in front of to it, depends on who is at the door.

By "issue", I referred to the idea that "feeling comfortable" with something could make it viable.

That is irrelevant to the discussion.

Come now!

As they say, "let's agree to disagree". In deference, I shall yield.

 

[wayneinFL]

Anyone who gives it a moment's thought should be able to identify a few desirable things that may not occur because the door is ignored, and a few undesirable things that may occur. That's very basic risk management.

A couple of people responded that daytime burglars may be knocking.

Answering the door would deter them. I could also wait to see if they try to get in, then let them know I'm here.

For the last 35 years or so I've always opened the door and answered it. It's never been Ed McMahon out there with an oversized check. Salesmen, proselytizers, nosey neighbors, cops. I can barely think of one single time a note or business card wouldn't have been sufficient.

I can definitely see why some people don't answer the door.

 

[armoredman]

I answer the door via Ring. If the camera is blocked/obscured/I have no flipping idea who you are, that door won't open, and good luck breaking it down. If a train derails, I'll hear it, and we have evac masks just for that occurrence.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I am trying to think of the last time we had someone knock at the door besides FedEx. It doesn't really matter anyway, because I am pocket carrying whenever I am wearing pants. A knock in the night would definitely get a response from me, because it's a 99% chance of being legitimate, and probably rather urgent.

 

[ilbob]

Years ago I got a knock on my door very early, like still very dark early.

After I finally woke up because the beagles started barking I realized there were a bunch of flashing lights outside from fire trucks so I figured there was a fire.

Turned out someone tried to burn down the pole barn next door and the cops were waking up everyone in the area looking for clues. I was not a lot of help because I had been asleep.

Back then I trusted law enforcement a lot more than I do now. I suspect I would still open the door to tell them I knew nothing about the fire and then try to go back to sleep. But that is based on the evidence of firetrucks outside which made it clear there was something legit going on.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The front door-and only access -to my apartment-is a screen/storm door that opens out, the inner door opens in, so if I hear a knock in the middle of the night I have an extra layer that will at least slow them down. In cooler weather i sleep wearing coveralls, they allow for a lot of concealment. If I owned my own place I would probably have a Dutch door , perhaps with a slot/covered speaking area, if I was really paranoid with a heavy plastic window with speaking holes.

 

[PWC]

I understand what everyone is saying here, and I think there are others that might read here that do answer the door. To them I address the following.

I have a locked steel security screen on my door, so I can open the inside door safely. Some years ago, it seemed to be a thing for miscreants to throw acid (common swimming pool chemical) on anyone answering a door. I added clear laxan plastic 2 1/2' X 5' to the inside of the security door that gives full visibility but would block anything thrown.

Also, for the annoying siding, solar panel, roofing sales people..... we say they would have to contact our landlord as we are renting. That always sends them on their way.

 

[The Night Rider]

Sebastian Maniscalco - DOORBELL ('What's Wrong With People?')

Who even uses a doorbell these days?About My Father, the new feature film starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro about Sebastian and his real-life ...

youtu.be

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Also, for the annoying siding, solar panel, roofing sales people..... we say they would have to contact our landlord as we are renting. That always sends them on their way.

I just tell them "No, thank you" and close the door.

But that is based on the evidence of firetrucks outside which made it clear there was something legit going on.

A fine example of using your noggin to evaluate the information from your circumstances.

 

[CDW4ME]

After over 4 years here I am very disinclined to answer a unexpected knock-knock or ding dong.
Near 100% odds it is a lawn service, tree service, pest control, solar panels, alternate electric, alternate internet, the salespeople are incessant.
My wife was home last two times and felt she should answer the knock-knock, one was a internet seller the other a lawn service.
I do not go to their house and harass them, I'll not reinforce it being done to me; I do not owe them the courtesy of answering my door.
If it is not a salesperson, then it is a home invader(s). Don't answer unexpected or uninvited knock-knock or ding dong.
Armed? If I were going to answer a knock knock (expected) I wouldn't answer the door naked. Always carry, that said if you don't it won't affect me.