On Not Slaughtering the Neighbors

[TallPine]

Fortunately, I can see out of all my doors or the window next to it. I suppose there is a small possibility that someone could be crumpled up on the door step and not be visible.

My plan, if I ever had a knock and could not identity or see the person(s) is to go out a door on the opposite side of the house and come around the corner armed and with a light. That plan has some drawbacks too, but is better than letting someone inside.

We have an issue here, in that we currently have a very undesirable neighbor. I wouldn't even answer a late nite knock except for the fact that there is a possibility (in my mind anyway) of someone who had been kidnapped and taken to my neighbor's house escaping and coming to our place for aid (since ours is the only other house anywhere near). But that guy is supposed to be going to jail in June so hopefully we can relax a little bit.

 

[griz]

I probably wouldn't have opened the door either, but I think I agree with Owen in that it's a least very close to a shoot situation. If not, when would it be OK to shoot? After all an intruder who was bigger, meaner, sober, and armed would start the attack the exact same way, by shoving in as soon as the door was unlocked. It seems you would quickly fall behind in the situation if you waited for the attack to become more clearly defined.

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

This is precisely why I have strong perimeter security. My front door is reinforced and well lit, has a large peephole, and I'm not opening it for anyone I don't recognize ~ no matter what they say. Bleeding? I'll call a paramedic. Just got held up? I'll dial the police. Car broken down? I'll phone for a tow. You're drunk? Geez, get the %^# out of here you blithering idiot. Go bother someone else.

Thank you for helping me make an addition to the other mental lists and stuff that I keep in my head for if/when I ever have to deal with a deadly force situation.

If I ever get "that knock," I will do as you say, OFFERING the help, but not ALLOWING them IN. Home invasions start in the way you are describing, and you are absolutely right: if they need this help, they won't mind getting it even despite a closed and locked front door. If they are trying to pull something, they'll bitch and complain about it and make b.s. reasons to insist on coming in, in which case I'd step back from the door and shout that they press the situation at their peril, and I am on the phone to the police.

If that door flies inward, they are getting shot.

-Jeffrey