You’ve had a long day and finally drifted into a deep sleep, when… knock, knock! Suddenly, your heart’s racing. Someone’s at your door in the wee hours. If you’re like many of us, your mind jumps straight to potential danger and, perhaps, to the firearm you keep for protection.
But before things escalate, let’s have a heart-to-heart about how to respond.
Remember that case in Greenville, South Carolina? A late-night knock, a misunderstanding, and a homeowner ended up shot. No one wants that. As Massad Ayoob, a respected voice in the firearms world, pointed out in a recent chat, “Why on earth would you open that door to begin with?“. He brings up an excellent point. It might be the police, someone who’s lost, or even a neighbor in distress. Jumping to conclusions can end badly.
Ayoob emphasizes, “…the single person most likely to be at that door [is] the local police.“
Perhaps they’re there to give you news or to alert you about a neighborhood situation. And get this – if you swing open that door with a gun in hand, the situation might just spiral. As Ayoob says, “the officer is going to shoot.” That’s a scenario nobody wants.
If you’re thinking of arming yourself – and we are with you, security is essential – think about visibility. Strolling up to your door with a gun might make you feel safe, but it could spook whoever’s outside. Ayoob’s suggestion? Opt for a handgun, keep it out of sight, and if you need to tuck it away quickly, ensure it’s safe to do so or holstered properly. He mentions a couple of models, including the WILSON COMBAT SFX9 Compact 9mm, that are pretty handy for this. Ayoob rightly points out, “…we don’t want that man with the gun swinging the door open, and we don’t have a mistaken identity shooting tragedy.”
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Wilson Combat SFX9 Compact 9mm Luger 3.25in Black Pistol - 15+1 Rounds - Black Compact | Sportsman's Warehouse | $ 2895.00 |
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Wilson Combat SFX9 Compact 9mm Luger 4in Black Aluminum Pistol - 15+1 Rounds - Black Compact | Sportsman's Warehouse | $ 2899.99 |
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Wilson Combat SFX9 Sub-Compact Light Rail 9mm Luger 3.25in Black Pistol - 15+1 Rounds - Black Subcompact | Sportsman's Warehouse | $ 2795.00 |
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Wilson Combat SFX9 Lightrail w/ Compact Grip, 9mm, 4 Barrel, 2- 10rd Magazines, RMR Ready, Pistol | BattleHawk Armory | $ 3378.95 |
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Lighting can be a game-changer. A well-lit porch can help you see who’s knocking and also show them you’re not a threat.
When it comes to a top recommendation, it all boils down to one word: Communication. Every time.
The case in Greenville might’ve ended differently with just a bit of talk. Shouting something like “I am the homeowner, I have a gun. I don’t know who you are, and I am calling 911.” can create a moment of clarity. And if the person outside claims to be police, give 911 a quick call. It takes a minute and can prevent a world of trouble.
Look, we get it. Late-night knocks can be unsettling. But a bit of preparation, common sense, and, yes, a little bit of tech (shoutout to video doorbells) can go a long way. The bottom line, as Ayoob wisely points out, is to “think it out beforehand.” And hey, don’t just keep this chat between us. Share with your family, friends, and neighbors. Let’s keep everyone safe, sound, and gunshot-free.
About Tred Law
Tred Law is your everyday patriot with a deep love for this country and a no-compromise approach to the Second Amendment. He does not write articles for Ammoland every week, but when he does write, it is usually about liberals Fing with his right to keep and bear arms.
We have a camera at the front door, AND our daughter goes upstairs and cracks the window that overlooks the deck and the front door. Unless the door banger is Spiderman, they ain’t getting up to that window…
My driveway is a quarter mile long with a sensor toward the start of it. I get an advance notice anytime someone breaks that beam (or groundhog, deer, dog, squirrel or even a crow). It’s often just a pain in the rear, but I’d prefer to check several false alarms than to miss a real one. That said, no one comes calling just to be neighborly.
The cops know your name and they can call your house if your number is listed or not. Tell the cops to call you and confirm that it is really them. We had a rash of criminals faking to be cops, lights and all. They would pull people over and rob or rape them. I was being pulled over, called 911 and told them a car behind me had me lit up and I wanted to make sure it was a cop. They asked me where I was and after I told them within 2 minuets they told me what… Read more »
i have a layered defense; fence, outdoor lighting, outside dog, inside dog, outward opening door, window w/mirror tint and then me with firearm.
hated living in an apartment, condo, multi-family unit (whatever you call it) because anyone could just walk up to door. here you most likely have a reason to do so.
I have a heeler and nobody is knocking on my door without having his teeth sunk in thier ass it’s that simple . My gated yard has a sign that say no trespassing. Anybody entering does it at thier own risk . All my dogs bothers and sisters went to wounded worrier as therapy dogs. My boy was aggressive and is not a therapy dog . Like I said enter at your own risk .
there is no good way to approach my house, land is posted and traps and snares are in places other than direct, and direct is worse
With a name like yours, I’d expect nothing less!
I think we are thinking backwards here. Anybody who is at my door is under my command, no matter what suit they have on. They will obey. I will have adequate force at hand.
HLB
As soon as I read the article I knew that somewhere in the comments I would find one of the Cold Dead Hands idiots — and I wasn’t disappointed.
No you don’t “have adequate force at hand” and yes, as Mas tried to explain in the article you didn’t understand, if you go to the door with what you think is “adequate force” you will absolutely become a literal member of the Cold Dead Hands group.
Good info….. but (I guess you have to pay your bills…)…inserting an ad for a two thousand dollar pistol is a bit much….99% of the folks reading this will mot spend that much for their home-defense-weapon
I check my cameras while I tuck my gun in it’s normal concealed place on my belt. I know ahead of time the level of alert the individual/s are at. Even IF I open the door, there’s a security screen door between me and whoever.
My prep keeps me confident to have a calm conversation. If the police are there for a dynamic entry, you won’t get that chance. The ability to speak calmly through a security door is priceless.
Camera or no camera, whether they look like police or not, I’m not answering the door. If they have a warrant, they also have the wrong address… but either way, they are coming in regardless. If they don’t have a warrant, they can go away.