10-Ring
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I would not fire until I could identify a target...but that's just me 
Would you shoot through the door?
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wcb
member
Shooting through the door is plain stupid; it could be anybody and depending on how sturdy your door is, you could even be misinterpreting the actions of the actor. What if it was your son trying to get away from someone chasing him?
Shut or keep the lights off (you know the layout of your house), position yourself strategically, dial 911 and under circumstances like this 911 usually stay on the line with you which would give you the best evidence of a struggle or break in if you did shoot. Speaking some kind of warning that you had a gun and would shoot might be prudent also; I dont think anyone mentioned that. Too quick to pull a trigger can land you in the pokey with a life sentence; not much better than dead if you ask me.
I dont own/carry a gun to kill people; I do to protect myself and someone beating on my door is not a threat to my life till he enters and becomes one. I would tend to expect the law to see it that way too.
Shut or keep the lights off (you know the layout of your house), position yourself strategically, dial 911 and under circumstances like this 911 usually stay on the line with you which would give you the best evidence of a struggle or break in if you did shoot. Speaking some kind of warning that you had a gun and would shoot might be prudent also; I dont think anyone mentioned that. Too quick to pull a trigger can land you in the pokey with a life sentence; not much better than dead if you ask me.
I dont own/carry a gun to kill people; I do to protect myself and someone beating on my door is not a threat to my life till he enters and becomes one. I would tend to expect the law to see it that way too.
shadowalker
Member
I would not shoot through the door in this situation. There may be times it would make sense to engage an identified deadly threat before they got inside the house but this isn't one of them for me.
For all the "shoot anyone who breaks into my house at 2 AM" types, you seriously have to consider this.
This happened to my family ten years ago. A drunken teenager entered our house at 1 AM. If there had been an itchy trigger finger it would have ended the life a 16 yr old local athlete who had drank too much and got confused.
So yes, I would not only argue you must ID the target, but some verbal commands/questions are also very key.
I admit to having been drunk and banging on the wrong hotel room door at about 4:00AM trying to get in. Made a lot of noise trying to wake my roomies up. I had no intention to cause harm, just got the wrong room.
Wouldn't have appreciated it if someone shot at me.
Wouldn't have appreciated it if someone shot at me.
Kind of Blued
Member
There are half a dozen different things I would do, depending on how much time it took for the person to break down my door, but none of them are in the poll.
Some of them:
Get a gun.
Make sure it is loaded, again.
Call the cops.
Try to communicate with the doorkicker.
Keep any others in the house away from the situation.
Tell them to arm themselves.
Give them the phone.
Train a flashlight on the door.
Wait and watch my six.
If the door goes down, ID the person/animal. It's all pretty much common sense from there on... the only stipulation is "don't die".
Some of them:
Get a gun.
Make sure it is loaded, again.
Call the cops.
Try to communicate with the doorkicker.
Keep any others in the house away from the situation.
Tell them to arm themselves.
Give them the phone.
Train a flashlight on the door.
Wait and watch my six.
If the door goes down, ID the person/animal. It's all pretty much common sense from there on... the only stipulation is "don't die".
coloradokevin
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I already addressed this in that other thread from a few days ago, but I think it is worth repeating here:
It is reckless, in my opinion, to shoot through a door at a person you can not identify on the other side. I'm certainly not saying that you need to invite them in and ask to see their driver's license. But, there are too many variables that would make the action of shooting through the door a really bad idea!
It is reckless, in my opinion, to shoot through a door at a person you can not identify on the other side. I'm certainly not saying that you need to invite them in and ask to see their driver's license. But, there are too many variables that would make the action of shooting through the door a really bad idea!
Keegan
Member
A few years ago I woke to someone beating the hell out of the front door of my apartment. If I had shot through the door, I may have killed two teenage girls who had entered the wrong one of our many identical buildings and were just being obnoxious to whomever they thought they were visiting. Many people seem to be almost bloodthirsty when it comes to intruders; I don't want to kill any person who doesn't absolutely require it. Break into my home, and you will have the option to lie down or run away. Unfortunately, you will also have the option to die.
Dismantler
Member
There is no police protection in my "town" after midnight. So my situation is a bit different, help being 20 minutes away at the very least.
I would not shoot through the door unless I was sure there were BG's on the other side. If I was certain that I was under siege, I would definitely fire through the door, before the BG fired through on me. (Perhaps they are prowling and looking, and I see arms.)
I live in the woods, and a reasonable person living where I do would not think that sobebody banging the door down was from the house next door. There is no house next door, they're down the road. You need to come down a 200' driveway to get to my house.
That said, if I had warned the person away, and they did not give a reasonable response, like maybe, "Please Help Me!" and I could not identify the person as a BG, I would wait in ambush. They get through the door...
Also, someone pounding on the door makes a much different sound than somebody trying to break it down.
I would not shoot through the door unless I was sure there were BG's on the other side. If I was certain that I was under siege, I would definitely fire through the door, before the BG fired through on me. (Perhaps they are prowling and looking, and I see arms.)
I live in the woods, and a reasonable person living where I do would not think that sobebody banging the door down was from the house next door. There is no house next door, they're down the road. You need to come down a 200' driveway to get to my house.
That said, if I had warned the person away, and they did not give a reasonable response, like maybe, "Please Help Me!" and I could not identify the person as a BG, I would wait in ambush. They get through the door...
Also, someone pounding on the door makes a much different sound than somebody trying to break it down.
jimmyraythomason
Member
There was an urban legend going around many years ago about an elderly man who shot through his door when someone was banging on it at night and would not answer calls to identify himself. In doing so the elderly gent killed his deaf grandson.
lonegunman
Member
Buy a porch light on your next trip to Home Depot and put a bulb in it.
I'm not sure about that law from you state either. People can kill you outside of your home with no problem.
If you are prepared to shoot while they are banging on the door, waiting to properly ID the target won't change the outcome(other than to keep you out of prison).
I left active duty military to go to college in the early 90's. I rented a house in a less than stellar neighborhood. Once lovely evening, about 130am I had a drug crazed idiot attack my home. I secured the kids and when he tried to come through the front door I took care of business. Having a double flood lite on the porch helped tons.
If I had to deal with this guy in near darkness, I would have shot him straight away and waited for the police. As it was, I had a clear view of his intentions and he was well lite.
I'm not sure about that law from you state either. People can kill you outside of your home with no problem.
If you are prepared to shoot while they are banging on the door, waiting to properly ID the target won't change the outcome(other than to keep you out of prison).
I left active duty military to go to college in the early 90's. I rented a house in a less than stellar neighborhood. Once lovely evening, about 130am I had a drug crazed idiot attack my home. I secured the kids and when he tried to come through the front door I took care of business. Having a double flood lite on the porch helped tons.
If I had to deal with this guy in near darkness, I would have shot him straight away and waited for the police. As it was, I had a clear view of his intentions and he was well lite.
Someone watch for the accomplice coming in the back way while you are distracted. Pax Vobiscum.
That is good advice, in my case the back door is an all glass screen door.
Also in my case, call 911 normal response time at 0-dark 30, more or less 10 minutes, Orange County Sheriff Dept. on the ball.
Illuminate top of stairs, Glock 19 on bedside table is carry, take off put down, in the morning, put on weapon, spare electronic ear muffs handy, hear better when on, really better after shots fired.
An option, trigger alarm from remote, negating motion detector, my alarm is loud!
In case that message needs clarifying, NO! I would not shoot through a door.
That is good advice, in my case the back door is an all glass screen door.
Also in my case, call 911 normal response time at 0-dark 30, more or less 10 minutes, Orange County Sheriff Dept. on the ball.
Illuminate top of stairs, Glock 19 on bedside table is carry, take off put down, in the morning, put on weapon, spare electronic ear muffs handy, hear better when on, really better after shots fired.
An option, trigger alarm from remote, negating motion detector, my alarm is loud!
In case that message needs clarifying, NO! I would not shoot through a door.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I chose "do something else" in the poll because the first poll did not list my preferred option (which it now does). I would now choose #2.
Pax Jordana
Member
My front door can be covered pretty well by sticking my head (and relevant gun hand) out the window. Good for ID, and nobody sees THAT one coming at 2 in the AM!
I don't shoot anything I can't see, unless I am convinced to the satisfaction of my own legal standing that whatever's on the other side needs to be shot - I won't shoot through an exterior door, but if I've had time to round up the family and now there's pounding on the bedroom door, I'll think it over.
I don't shoot anything I can't see, unless I am convinced to the satisfaction of my own legal standing that whatever's on the other side needs to be shot - I won't shoot through an exterior door, but if I've had time to round up the family and now there's pounding on the bedroom door, I'll think it over.
Listen, I am not going to say that there are NO Circumstances when I would shoot through a door, or some other form of cover. There are.
However, normally I wouldn't unless there had been an identifiable threat, otherwise you are "shooting in the dark". I heard about a kid who shot through a bedroom door to take out a perp who had broken into the home, beaten his mom some, she was able to get away into the room her son was in and they shut the door. The perp came back and tried to break the door down, he shot, hit the perp, threat over.
However, normally I wouldn't unless there had been an identifiable threat, otherwise you are "shooting in the dark". I heard about a kid who shot through a bedroom door to take out a perp who had broken into the home, beaten his mom some, she was able to get away into the room her son was in and they shut the door. The perp came back and tried to break the door down, he shot, hit the perp, threat over.
I would only shoot after the threat is verified. Even though it may seem they're breaking in, could it be an intoxicated neighbor at the wrong door? Once the door is breached, individual has a weapon or presents a harm, then shoot.
brighamr
Member
"Do not shoot unless you know what your target is and what is behind your target"
Lets say you shoot at the BG through the door, your bullet misses and hits a motorist who happened to be passing by. You will have a long time in prison to think over the mistake.
Lets say you wait, the BG breaks through the door, sees you armed and runs. You have now thwarted the threat without any repercussions (legal or mental).
Lets say you shoot at the BG through the door, your bullet misses and hits a motorist who happened to be passing by. You will have a long time in prison to think over the mistake.
Lets say you wait, the BG breaks through the door, sees you armed and runs. You have now thwarted the threat without any repercussions (legal or mental).
QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
just like one of the first posters said, it could be a drunk thinking their at their house, you know bars close at 2am here in washington, ive been that drunk before but i was at my own house. im glad i didn't get shot because of it. and i hope no one would shoot until they identfied the threat, thats one of the first things your are trained is to identify the threat.
4. - Know your target and what lies beyond.
That's just the basics, folks. You don't shoot what you don't see, you don't shoot when you don't know where the bullet is going to end up. Not unless there is literally no other way. Giving the invader fair warning ("I've got a gun, I've called the cops! Don't come in here, I'll shoot!") can easily happen while the perp is trying to break down the door. When the door opens up and the target is clearly identified, then open fire if need be. Who knows, a cop or other samaritan may have just come up behind the bad guy and is about to help you out, when you cut lose firing thru the door, wounding and perhaps killing both your assailant and the good guy.
You don't shoot where you can't see, unless there is literally no other option.
That's just the basics, folks. You don't shoot what you don't see, you don't shoot when you don't know where the bullet is going to end up. Not unless there is literally no other way. Giving the invader fair warning ("I've got a gun, I've called the cops! Don't come in here, I'll shoot!") can easily happen while the perp is trying to break down the door. When the door opens up and the target is clearly identified, then open fire if need be. Who knows, a cop or other samaritan may have just come up behind the bad guy and is about to help you out, when you cut lose firing thru the door, wounding and perhaps killing both your assailant and the good guy.
You don't shoot where you can't see, unless there is literally no other option.
Cosmoline
Member
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? It's another poorly worded poll question. The scenario could describe everything from someone trying the knob and pushing on the door to someone taking an axe to the door and grinning at you from the other side.
Please, people, think a little bit before you post poll questions.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
No one else here from NC who wants to tackle this one?
lpl/nc
lpl/nc
Corporal K
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Absolutely not. I would yell a warning for them not to enter, that I was armed.
Secure the family, get armed, call 9-11. Stay in the defense. You have a huge tactical (and legal) advantage in the defense.
Secure the family, get armed, call 9-11. Stay in the defense. You have a huge tactical (and legal) advantage in the defense.
Cyclimus
Member
The rule of thumb I was taught was only engage when necessary. Castle doctrine hasn't passed here in Ohio yet, so I will hole in my bedroom with the wife. Sad to say, but the dog and cats will take care of themselves, hopefully via claws and teeth. If I see anything come through the bedroom door (I have busted it open rather easily before to get in when one of the animals or dumb humans, i.e. me, accidentally locks it and then closes themselves out of it) I'll engage with full force. If they stay out in the rest of the house, I'll call for the police and just hold down the fort.
My CCW instructor took some time talking about what we are legally allowed to do here in Ohio. Entry into the bedroom whether they are armed or not is considered justification for lethal force as the intruder has entered a section of the house that will logically be occupied.
From a shooting through the door standpoint, I think tactically this is unsound for a number of reasons. First, it identifies that you are armed and with what to whoever is outside. Second, it could give away you positioning inside the room giving the intruder a tactical advantage if they do decide to come in. Third, you are down a round of ammo. Fourth, your nightvision and hearing are now traumatized from the report of your firearm, thus enhancing the intruder's advantage.
My CCW instructor took some time talking about what we are legally allowed to do here in Ohio. Entry into the bedroom whether they are armed or not is considered justification for lethal force as the intruder has entered a section of the house that will logically be occupied.
From a shooting through the door standpoint, I think tactically this is unsound for a number of reasons. First, it identifies that you are armed and with what to whoever is outside. Second, it could give away you positioning inside the room giving the intruder a tactical advantage if they do decide to come in. Third, you are down a round of ammo. Fourth, your nightvision and hearing are now traumatized from the report of your firearm, thus enhancing the intruder's advantage.
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