What would you have done at 4 am? - Page 4

2123 · April 7, 2014, 08:29 PM

I prefer a handgun over a long gun for home protection.

But, to answer the question. I would answer the door, but I'd have my 12 ga. shotgun with me, rather than a handgun.

As others have said, not everyone is out to get you. It could be a person in dire need of help.

Given enough time, I'd probably go out the back door, and approach the front door on my own terms.

Garycw · April 9, 2014, 06:44 AM

2123, my philosophy is also similar. But that me. Others may be better advised to just stay inside such as a woman alone or someone not well prepared. Fortunately I have cameras that can see all areas around the house at .001 lux.
If someone was trying to actually break in, I would wait and let them come on in after calling Sherriff to come pick them up. This is a area where neighbors are 1/4 mile apart and police are at least 30 min away. Anyone knocking or banging on door anytime after 10-11 pm would be just as odd as 4 am

Double Naught Spy · April 9, 2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

2123, my philosophy is also similar. But that me. Others may be better advised to just stay inside such as a woman alone or someone not well prepared.

That "woman alone" may be a whole helluva lot better prepared, skilled, and better able to handle herself in a SD/HD crisis than you are.

Garycw · April 9, 2014, 07:57 AM

00spy
A "woman alone" may very well be more prepared than some men. Every individual is different.
Being in security related field and working with LE for 30+ years may give me a little more insight on what to expect than some.
Every situation and area is different. Things may be different whether you're in city, suburb or country too

Wyosmith · April 9, 2014, 11:53 AM

Well much of this is quite dramatic and well founded, but there are other possibilities too.

In 1986 I was living in a rented farm house about 64 miles away from a town of only 3000. At about 4:00AM there was loud knocking on my back door. I quickly grabbed a rifle and had my wife get a shotgun and hide behind a large oak trunk. I then called out to the intruder and asked what he wanted. As it turned out he and a friend were in the mountains about 5 miles away from me and rolled the truck. The friend was hurt and he was seeking help. I told him to come in. I didn't let him get closer than the other side of the room and I told him to lock the door behind him. I then called the local sheriff's office and had him ID himself and so on.

As it turned out he was 100% honest and all was as he said.

I then told him to get in my Land Cruiser and I and the deputy went up to his friend in our vehicles and rescued them. I had a heavy duty wench on my TLC and after the hurt boy was transported by the deputy I got the truck back on its wheels and the other young man 2was able to drive it out.

So remember that people ban k on doors loudly to do one of 2 things.
#1 Because they really need help
#2 To locate a victim.

Be safe and cautious, but NEVER get into a mindset that all unknown folks are evil or enemies. People in real need of help should be helped. I believe that’s how God would have us interact with our fellow man.

**JohnKSa** · April 9, 2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

I had a heavy duty wench on my TLC...

In my experience, wenches object when you call them "heavy duty".

Double Naught Spy · April 10, 2014, 09:04 AM

Quote:

A "woman alone" may very well be more prepared than some men. Every individual is different.

So it is a shame you summarily a woman alone with unprepared people as if there was a correlation between sex and preparedness. Either you are prepared or not regardless of your sex.

Garycw · April 10, 2014, 04:05 PM

I summarily a woman alone because most I know are unprepared except to hide. Although some would blow your head off. My 88 yo mother for one. I'm sure there's also women that would kick my butt too.
So I don't know how much a shame it is, it's just been my experience with MOST of the women I know. Reminds me when a "person" I knew thought there was a criminal loose in the neighborhood and loaded there husbands revolver with the shells facing backwards.

Glenn E. Meyer · April 10, 2014, 06:33 PM

How did they get rimmed rounds into a revolver cylinder backwards?

Garycw · April 11, 2014, 10:34 AM

In all honestly that's what she told me. She was trying to put shells in from the other end of cylinder. The point is that if you're not familiar with a gun and prepared to use deadly force, don't try. Male or female.

Glenn E. Meyer · April 11, 2014, 10:36 AM

So she really didn't load it. I've seen that from men and women beginners trying to load a semi when taking their CHL test.

I suppose this brings up the point again that one should get some quality instruction with your SD gun.

2123 · April 11, 2014, 11:56 AM

QUOTE:

2123, my philosophy is also similar. But that me. Others may be better advised to just stay inside such as a woman alone or someone not well prepared. Fortunately I have cameras that can see all areas around the house at .001 lux.
If someone was trying to actually break in, I would wait and let them come on in after calling Sherriff to come pick them up. This is a area where neighbors are 1/4 mile apart and police are at least 30 min away. Anyone knocking or banging on door anytime after 10-11 pm would be just as odd as 4 am

We each have to act in such a way that we are comfortable and prepared to do so.

If you live in a semi-remote or remote location, your options will differ from those living in a gated community where houses are close to one another.

Also, as you mentioned, timing is an important consideration. If someone knocks on my door after 10pm or so, I will approach the door in a different manner, than I would at 11am or so.

Bottom line is to know what is or what isn't normal or routine in your community and to pay attention to the little things that don't quite measure up. Being aware is a very good start to being safe.

Garycw · April 11, 2014, 03:18 PM

I'll just add that I'm also on guard if someone knocks on my door at 4 pm. Not like 4am, but still ready to deal with someone unannounced.
A lot of burglaries are during daytime and even some home invasions. Knocking on the front door first, or obvious main entry is the oldest trick in the book. With no answer either the front door gets pushed/kicked open or around back.

Brit · April 24, 2014, 07:56 AM

My Son owns a Security Company. His findings.

The time you need Armed Security Patrol, between (9am and 3pm) those are the most break in specials. If it is not Juveniles, it is mostly the fake "Come to fix?" Something two guys, and a pick up.
Best action, park behind vehicle, photo of plate, photo of passenger, photo of the returning from knocking on front door person (No one home) Inform them they are trespassing, "LEAVE."

His Officers, G License, armed. Marked Patrol Vehicle, good Radio System, plus Cell phones.

My experience when working on these kind of jobs, very soon, the message gets out, break in's stop... Sorry next door community's! They move on!

And please, you gun people! Get a big safe to keep the one you are not carrying safe.

Ruark · April 24, 2014, 07:49 PM

We live on a small ranch in central Texas, several miles from the nearest small town. There's an unspoken code out here that even if you don't really know them, you always help out your neighbor in an emergency. A cow breaks through a fence, a grass fire starts, all kinds of things happen. That person banging on your door could have been a neighbor having some kind of late-night emergency; a spouse unconscious on the floor, a horse tangled in some barb wire, etc.

Of course, it also could have been a criminal as well, I'm not minimizing that possibility. But the point has been well made that you need to be sure what you're doing.

johnelmore · April 24, 2014, 09:05 PM

Here is what I would personally do:

#1. Grab anything in the immediate area to be used as a defensive weapon. It could be anything, just grab it. There might not be time should they get through the door.

#2. Flip on all the light switches you can in immediate vicinity.

#3. Get to a defensive position and get the firearm if possible. Contact police if possible.

#4. Yell at the door in a commanding voice "Who is knocking on the door?"

This 4 step process should take seconds.

Remain in the defensive position. For me that would be at the top flight of my stairs and I would half duck behind the wall. The other half of my body would be pointed towards downstairs with my pistol.

There are many different factors and variables but I believe you must act quickly and aggressively. In the past when someone banged on my door late at night I yelled very aggressively "Who the (profanity) is there!!!" I used profanity because I wanted them to believe the guy behind the door wasnt going to be nice if they decided to enter.

Many different techniques and styles. Its good to do a few practice runs with a stopwatch. How fast can you react to a situation? Also time how fast it would take for someone to run up the stairs. You will find its a second or two and that is why i say to grab anything to use as an immediate weapon.

When I am sleeping my bedroom door is locked with a deadbolt and crossbar. They still might be able to kick it in but it wont be as easy as a regular bedroom door. I saw a video where this guy had a cargo net which could be lowered quickly over his stairs so as to contain the downstairs from the upstairs at night. The net had these chimes and bells on it so if anyone tried to take it down then it would be very noisy. No one could simply run up the stairs immediately at night.

Another thing to think about is the security screen doors which have deadbolts and steel frames. I have those and they work great. Stronger then the regular door.

sheldonmcneely · May 26, 2014, 03:28 AM

Well, it is always very easy to advise other people what to do but I don't think it is that easy to do those tips. As you are shocked by having witnessed, worse is being the subject in the situation, you may just not know what to do...like you'll be out of your mind in a moment before you realized that you are already being attacked.

giaquir · May 29, 2014, 01:24 AM

Gather everyone in the most defensible location inside the house, call the Police and wait for them. If someone did gain entry then that escalates things significantly and might require you defending yourself. However, anytime someone is outside call the Police and let them handle the situation.

+1

I've always maintained under those conditions I would (gun in hand)
gather the kids across the hall -we all slept up stairs-bring them in
our bedroom,call the local yocals and if someone banged at the door
without proper credentials,
I'd take action.

April 10, 2014, 06:33 PM	#84
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	How did they get rimmed rounds into a revolver cylinder backwards? __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

April 11, 2014, 10:36 AM	#86
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	So she really didn't load it. I've seen that from men and women beginners trying to load a semi when taking their CHL test. I suppose this brings up the point again that one should get some quality instruction with your SD gun. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

April 11, 2014, 03:18 PM	#88
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	What would you have done at 4 am? I'll just add that I'm also on guard if someone knocks on my door at 4 pm. Not like 4am, but still ready to deal with someone unannounced. A lot of burglaries are during daytime and even some home invasions. Knocking on the front door first, or obvious main entry is the oldest trick in the book. With no answer either the front door gets pushed/kicked open or around back. Last edited by Garycw; April 11, 2014 at 03:27 PM.

May 26, 2014, 03:28 AM	#92
sheldonmcneely Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2014 Posts: 3	What Would I Have Done? Well, it is always very easy to advise other people what to do but I don't think it is that easy to do those tips. As you are shocked by having witnessed, worse is being the subject in the situation, you may just not know what to do...like you'll be out of your mind in a moment before you realized that you are already being attacked.

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April 7, 2014, 08:29 PM	#76
2123 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2014 Location: It changes.....a lot. Posts: 356	I prefer a handgun over a long gun for home protection. But, to answer the question. I would answer the door, but I'd have my 12 ga. shotgun with me, rather than a handgun. As others have said, not everyone is out to get you. It could be a person in dire need of help. Given enough time, I'd probably go out the back door, and approach the front door on my own terms.

April 9, 2014, 06:44 AM	#77
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	2123, my philosophy is also similar. But that me. Others may be better advised to just stay inside such as a woman alone or someone not well prepared. Fortunately I have cameras that can see all areas around the house at .001 lux. If someone was trying to actually break in, I would wait and let them come on in after calling Sherriff to come pick them up. This is a area where neighbors are 1/4 mile apart and police are at least 30 min away. Anyone knocking or banging on door anytime after 10-11 pm would be just as odd as 4 am

April 9, 2014, 07:57 AM	#79
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	00spy A "woman alone" may very well be more prepared than some men. Every individual is different. Being in security related field and working with LE for 30+ years may give me a little more insight on what to expect than some. Every situation and area is different. Things may be different whether you're in city, suburb or country too

April 9, 2014, 11:53 AM	#80
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Well much of this is quite dramatic and well founded, but there are other possibilities too. In 1986 I was living in a rented farm house about 64 miles away from a town of only 3000. At about 4:00AM there was loud knocking on my back door. I quickly grabbed a rifle and had my wife get a shotgun and hide behind a large oak trunk. I then called out to the intruder and asked what he wanted. As it turned out he and a friend were in the mountains about 5 miles away from me and rolled the truck. The friend was hurt and he was seeking help. I told him to come in. I didn't let him get closer than the other side of the room and I told him to lock the door behind him. I then called the local sheriff's office and had him ID himself and so on. As it turned out he was 100% honest and all was as he said. I then told him to get in my Land Cruiser and I and the deputy went up to his friend in our vehicles and rescued them. I had a heavy duty wench on my TLC and after the hurt boy was transported by the deputy I got the truck back on its wheels and the other young man 2was able to drive it out. So remember that people ban k on doors loudly to do one of 2 things. #1 Because they really need help #2 To locate a victim. Be safe and cautious, but NEVER get into a mindset that all unknown folks are evil or enemies. People in real need of help should be helped. I believe that’s how God would have us interact with our fellow man.

April 10, 2014, 04:05 PM	#83
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	I summarily a woman alone because most I know are unprepared except to hide. Although some would blow your head off. My 88 yo mother for one. I'm sure there's also women that would kick my butt too. So I don't know how much a shame it is, it's just been my experience with MOST of the women I know. Reminds me when a "person" I knew thought there was a criminal loose in the neighborhood and loaded there husbands revolver with the shells facing backwards.

April 11, 2014, 10:34 AM	#85
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	In all honestly that's what she told me. She was trying to put shells in from the other end of cylinder. The point is that if you're not familiar with a gun and prepared to use deadly force, don't try. Male or female.

April 11, 2014, 11:56 AM	#87
2123 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2014 Location: It changes.....a lot. Posts: 356	QUOTE: 2123, my philosophy is also similar. But that me. Others may be better advised to just stay inside such as a woman alone or someone not well prepared. Fortunately I have cameras that can see all areas around the house at .001 lux. If someone was trying to actually break in, I would wait and let them come on in after calling Sherriff to come pick them up. This is a area where neighbors are 1/4 mile apart and police are at least 30 min away. Anyone knocking or banging on door anytime after 10-11 pm would be just as odd as 4 am We each have to act in such a way that we are comfortable and prepared to do so. If you live in a semi-remote or remote location, your options will differ from those living in a gated community where houses are close to one another. Also, as you mentioned, timing is an important consideration. If someone knocks on my door after 10pm or so, I will approach the door in a different manner, than I would at 11am or so. Bottom line is to know what is or what isn't normal or routine in your community and to pay attention to the little things that don't quite measure up. Being aware is a very good start to being safe.

April 24, 2014, 07:56 AM	#89
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	My Son owns a Security Company. His findings. The time you need Armed Security Patrol, between (9am and 3pm) those are the most break in specials. If it is not Juveniles, it is mostly the fake "Come to fix?" Something two guys, and a pick up. Best action, park behind vehicle, photo of plate, photo of passenger, photo of the returning from knocking on front door person (No one home) Inform them they are trespassing, "LEAVE." His Officers, G License, armed. Marked Patrol Vehicle, good Radio System, plus Cell phones. My experience when working on these kind of jobs, very soon, the message gets out, break in's stop... Sorry next door community's! They move on! And please, you gun people! Get a big safe to keep the one you are not carrying safe.

April 24, 2014, 07:49 PM	#90
Ruark Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Posts: 227	We live on a small ranch in central Texas, several miles from the nearest small town. There's an unspoken code out here that even if you don't really know them, you always help out your neighbor in an emergency. A cow breaks through a fence, a grass fire starts, all kinds of things happen. That person banging on your door could have been a neighbor having some kind of late-night emergency; a spouse unconscious on the floor, a horse tangled in some barb wire, etc. Of course, it also could have been a criminal as well, I'm not minimizing that possibility. But the point has been well made that you need to be sure what you're doing.

April 24, 2014, 09:05 PM	#91
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	Here is what I would personally do: #1. Grab anything in the immediate area to be used as a defensive weapon. It could be anything, just grab it. There might not be time should they get through the door. #2. Flip on all the light switches you can in immediate vicinity. #3. Get to a defensive position and get the firearm if possible. Contact police if possible. #4. Yell at the door in a commanding voice "Who is knocking on the door?" This 4 step process should take seconds. Remain in the defensive position. For me that would be at the top flight of my stairs and I would half duck behind the wall. The other half of my body would be pointed towards downstairs with my pistol. There are many different factors and variables but I believe you must act quickly and aggressively. In the past when someone banged on my door late at night I yelled very aggressively "Who the (profanity) is there!!!" I used profanity because I wanted them to believe the guy behind the door wasnt going to be nice if they decided to enter. Many different techniques and styles. Its good to do a few practice runs with a stopwatch. How fast can you react to a situation? Also time how fast it would take for someone to run up the stairs. You will find its a second or two and that is why i say to grab anything to use as an immediate weapon. When I am sleeping my bedroom door is locked with a deadbolt and crossbar. They still might be able to kick it in but it wont be as easy as a regular bedroom door. I saw a video where this guy had a cargo net which could be lowered quickly over his stairs so as to contain the downstairs from the upstairs at night. The net had these chimes and bells on it so if anyone tried to take it down then it would be very noisy. No one could simply run up the stairs immediately at night. Another thing to think about is the security screen doors which have deadbolts and steel frames. I have those and they work great. Stronger then the regular door.

May 29, 2014, 01:24 AM	#93
giaquir Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire Posts: 512	Gather everyone in the most defensible location inside the house, call the Police and wait for them. If someone did gain entry then that escalates things significantly and might require you defending yourself. However, anytime someone is outside call the Police and let them handle the situation. +1 I've always maintained under those conditions I would (gun in hand) gather the kids across the hall -we all slept up stairs-bring them in our bedroom,call the local yocals and if someone banged at the door without proper credentials, I'd take action.