How would you handle this encounter?

youngunz4life · October 22, 2011, 03:27 AM

I was wondering how you all would handle this scenario below? Would it depend on your mood? Would it vary on different occaisons, or would you respond the same way every time? Hopefully this is in the right forum, and I had just been thinking about this with regards to other threads/scenarios. I have also thought about it when the exact scenario has happened to me on a couple of occasions and while similar scenarios have happened on multiple occaisons as well.

You're sitting at the computer on your day off reading TFL threads, and you hear a bangi and/or doorbell. You peek out the window and see a little of a fedex truck. Do you go to the door before he leaves, do you go in the next room or another part of that room and grab your CCW before going to the door, do you hold the weapon without anyone else's knowledge when you open the door as I have heard other's say in different threads, and/or how would you go about handling this situation? This thread is meant for tactics+training purposes and also for discussion purposes + other's knowledge/opinions on the subject.

Dr. Strangelove · October 22, 2011, 04:02 AM

I'm in my late 30's, and share a house with two other single male house-mates due to the economy.

We get, on average, one UPS or FedEx delivery per week. If I hear a knock at the door, I just go answer the door.

It's just not that big a deal.

kozak6 · October 22, 2011, 04:06 AM

Really?

Although criminals disguised as Fedex workers aren't entirely unknown, I'd probably go answer the door without a weapon.

youngunz4life · October 22, 2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Really?

yes kojak, really. Please don't assume you know what I do based upon my thread's original post, as that would be an assumption. You forced me to respond because you have a confused icon in your post and the thread might not survive long. The thread is only to start up discussions on whether some people answer the door a certain way no matter what the circumstances, or if they just do what you do and it is based from a tactical standpoint. It is sort of like how some people carry in their home 24/7 and some don't. I had been involved in a recent thread that made me think of some's thought processes, and this is why I started this one. I answer the door regular myself, but I have read on TFL on multiple occaisons about others taking precautions.

To add more, I have sometimes wondered about how safe it is to leave the home @ odd hours for work especially since people fall into routines. Of course I haven't done anything about it even though I could leave from the garage. It can be more of an issue depending on the area in which people reside as well as for some being in the boonies though.

Lastly, the fedex was just an example that happened this week. How about the guy beeping his horn from the driveway trying to sell his construction skills or other 'drive-bys' from the guy who rings the doorbell saying he has extra asphalt to do a cheap driveway job? Do you act the same no matter who rings your doorbell? I know sometimes I haven't answered the door, and my wife and I put up no trespassing signs to stop some garbage. They actually work. To those that are tactically ready, better prepared than sorry is a good motto here.

all the best

Sparks1957 · October 22, 2011, 06:41 AM

I answer the door like a normal person when I see the FedEx guy... with my carry weapon in my waistband like normal.

Chances are he/she has a case of ammo for me.

bigkrackers · October 22, 2011, 07:13 AM

I have a three security cameras pointed at my front door to get multiple angles. I also use state of the art facial recognition and facial/voice emotional detection software. The concrete slab that makes up my front porch is electrified and has a 4x4x7 foot security cage that can be deployed from the roof overhanging my doorway. This is all just the first layer of my home defense. I have 12 additional layers.

Seriously though, I try not to be too paranoid in my own house. It all depends on the situation (day, night, early, late) and who is at the door. I have a clear view of my front door from a window. I'm not important enough and don't live in a rich neighborhood to warrant any elaborate UPS or FedEx getups. So I take it one at a time.

I will say that I always am armed if a girl scout is at my door. They will rob you blind and before you know it you're left explaining to the wife why you have a dozen boxes of cookies stuffed in the cupboard.

TheNocturnus · October 22, 2011, 07:20 AM

Well seeing as I have my guns on me 99% of the time, I answer the door armed. Right now I just got out of bed, I have been having trouble sleeping lately, and am not armed. If fedex were to show up right now, I'd go and grab a gun just in case. I don't take any chances anymore.

Skadoosh · October 22, 2011, 07:54 AM

Since I will be able to see the fedex guy standing at my door ....and the fedex truck out in the street, I wont be cracking open the door and peeking out with a gun hidden from view behind my back.

Ditto_95 · October 22, 2011, 08:26 AM

I know my Fedex woman and UPS guy so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them at my door.
Well it would be for the UPS guy since he won't get out if the truck because he is afraid of my Doberman.

Unknown knockers get the hidden gun treatment.

Brian Pfleuger · October 22, 2011, 08:44 AM

I answer the door when someone knocks. Yes, I look out the door window first. If I happen to be carrying, I'm armed at the door. If not, I don't go get it.
The possibility that someone knocking on my door at "normal" hours might be a criminal does not so much as enter my mind.
I have never heard of a forceful home invasion anywhere even remotely close to this area. Robberies are nonexistent. A burglary is the talk of the town for weeks, and I can't even remember the last true "BREAK-in". The burglaries are unlocked cars and homes and even then extremely rare.
Most people around here do not lock their homes and only their cars if they happen to leave something valuable inside, although the car locking is more prevalent now with remotes.
The "trouble" in this area is bored teenagers on their bicycles. They are unarmed, mean no real harm and run away if you yell at them.
Someone did vandalize the playground across the road last year... by scratching their FIRST and LAST name into the plastic! Is that violent crime? Or just stupid?

C0untZer0 · October 22, 2011, 09:21 AM

1) I swore to myself I wasn't going to get drawn into these scenario threads...

2) I thank God I didn't end up working for FedEx or UPS as a delivery driver.

dyl · October 22, 2011, 10:11 AM

I've only approached the door with gun in hand on 1 occasion and I was pretty spooked at night. I spoke through the door and had no intention of opening up. That might be a story for another time though

I don't remember if I already told that story on the forum or not.

Usually not gun in waistband for me - my M&P40c has no safety if I'm wearing jeans, and my sweatpants would give a great view of the moon during the day under the weight. A j-frame in the pocket can usually stay in the pocket all day long.

Even in great threads there are times when folks misunderstand the question asked or the answer is just so simple for them they don't see a need for discussion - don't worry about them. I guess for me to generalize - if I'm carrying concealed already I usually don't disarm unless it is SO uncomfortable that I need a break (usually doesn't happen..except maybe the belly band). I usually don't do gun in hand because I might have to sign something. I usually don't carry IWB without a holster for the reasons mentioned previously.

If i know I'm going to spend a long time in one place in the house I usually do move my CCW there if I'm not wearing it.

Before I started learning about all this awareness and self defense culture I really did have an attitude of opening the door right away for anyone - and other issues like that. Wouldn't have wanted to be impolite.

sigcurious · October 22, 2011, 10:27 AM

In my previous place, I'd be really confused as to why the delivery guy was at my door and hadn't left the packages with the front desk. Having been an apartment dweller for so long, I hadn't really thought about it. But even when living in buildings without a front desk, there's always been at least one other locked door that someone would have to get through. So knocking directly on my door has always aroused suspicion, but mostly of the "dangit someone let a solicitor into the building" type. Now that I live in a house again, I would just answer the door if I were expecting a package.

JerryM · October 22, 2011, 10:27 AM

I just go to the door. I can't imagine that I would ever be afraid to answer when I saw a FedX truck.
Jerry

MLeake · October 22, 2011, 11:06 AM

I carry at home, so there's no CCW to go and retrieve.

My dogs bark their heads off when a FedEx, UPS, USPS etc truck arrives, so there are no surprises.

The drivers keep a healthy distance from the door, due to the barking of the dogs.

Dogs and holsters... too bad all scenarios aren't so easy.

orionengnr · October 22, 2011, 11:44 AM

Same here. My CCW is on my hip unless I'm in bed or in the shower, so when I go to the door I am armed.
My dogs are also pretty enthusiastic about informing me that someone is near/at the door.

TX_QtPi · October 22, 2011, 12:26 PM

funny, I just had the J-witness come to the door, I have 4 pit-bulls that are cross trained for obedience and protection, so no worries getting the door with out my pistol in hand (though if it's after dark and there is an unexpected knock at the door I do keep it drawn when I answer).
But this J-witness guy had a can of pepper spray in his hand when I answered, so as he starts his speech and putting the pepper spray away to hand me his pamphlet I interrupted and asked him what he intended to do with that (pepper spray)
he LAUGHED it off and said since he heard the dogs he got it out as a precaution. I told him, "I'm sorry but if I wanted my dogs to take you down they would have already."
My dogs are my kids and they are trained to protect me, and I'm thinking what nerve of this guy to think he would pepper spray a dog to hand out his pamphlets!
dood, you're uninvited, you're not making your living this way, and you're not delivering something I ordered so if ya hear the dogs, back away...cause either you'll find the wrong end of a hand gun in your face or you'll be dog chow... same goes for the would be criminals, disguised or not.

Sparks1957 · October 22, 2011, 12:48 PM

Wow, that's pretty ballsy of him, and just might get him hurt someday. I can see someone who has to go to your door as part of their job carrying pepper spray (postal and delivery workers, utility workers, etc.), but a freaking J's witness proselytizing???

Yikes

Pezo · October 22, 2011, 01:27 PM

In regards to the j witness with mace. yeah bad call on his part. Some one at some point hopefully can enlightened him in a nice way that acting like that either in a non chalant way is not a good idea. When you approach someone else's property and you dont feel right about it do to whatever reason best coarse of action is to return to where you were. In regards to fed ex question, during normal hours and I live in a generally good area I would not make it a pointe to have a firearm on me if it wasnt on me to begin with. However, I would not purposely dis arm for any trivial reason.

BlackFeather · October 22, 2011, 01:42 PM

Well, due to the way my apartment in Oregon is set up, if I had to use any gun I'd likely end up shooting my neighbor. I keep a large wooden club(Bokken), next to the door. If it's not there, I have about... 7 other weapons on the walls for decor. Here in California, I have a knife, and NO ONE uses the front door. If I saw the FedEx guy, I'd likely get someone else to answer as it's not for me. Though I have a habit of being the "puppy" that follows them to meet with who ever knocked. I have been in a situation where I was cleaning a throwing knife and the mail carrier knocked. For some reason it startled me because I wasn't expecting it. So, I answered the door with a knife behind my back. Anyway, most of the time I see no reason to have a weapon on you for answering the door, but there have been times where I have just because it felt better to do so.

besafe2 · October 22, 2011, 01:59 PM

Just answer the door & get my package

Patriot86 · October 22, 2011, 02:17 PM

I can't remember the last time I read about the fake Fed-Ex guy actually having a Fed-Ex truck....I think i would just go right out.

Also, both the UPS and Fex-Ex guys have normal times when they show up. If it was vastly outside of the normal window I MIGHT be a little more cautious.

farmerboy · October 22, 2011, 02:23 PM

I live in the country, have about 2 acres fully dog proffed fence and keep two big dogs running loose. On a dirt road and second from the dead end with a gate out front thats 100% locked at all times. The fed ex driver either leaves packages by the road or alot of times the drop off packages at my P.O. box in town so I never have to worry about or deal with people knocking at my door. But if I see someone at the gate I almost always have a handgun just in case but thats only about once every nine months or so.

Pezo · October 22, 2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

I can't remember the last time I read about the fake Fed-Ex guy actually having a Fed-Ex truck....I think i would just go right out.

Ha, too funny so true. dah.

raimius · October 22, 2011, 02:32 PM

I usually know when deliveries are due, so I would likely know if I was expecting the Fedex guy. If not, I might be a little more suspicious. While I don't normally carry, I usually have a sturdy light and knife in my pocket anyway, so no I doubt I would go retrieve a firearm.

October 22, 2011, 03:27 AM	#1
youngunz4life Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,877	How would you handle this encounter? I was wondering how you all would handle this scenario below? Would it depend on your mood? Would it vary on different occaisons, or would you respond the same way every time? Hopefully this is in the right forum, and I had just been thinking about this with regards to other threads/scenarios. I have also thought about it when the exact scenario has happened to me on a couple of occasions and while similar scenarios have happened on multiple occaisons as well. You're sitting at the computer on your day off reading TFL threads, and you hear a bangi and/or doorbell. You peek out the window and see a little of a fedex truck. Do you go to the door before he leaves, do you go in the next room or another part of that room and grab your CCW before going to the door, do you hold the weapon without anyone else's knowledge when you open the door as I have heard other's say in different threads, and/or how would you go about handling this situation? This thread is meant for tactics+training purposes and also for discussion purposes + other's knowledge/opinions on the subject. __________________ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -Admiral Farragut @ Battle of Mobile Bay 05AUG1864

October 22, 2011, 04:02 AM	#2
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	I'm in my late 30's, and share a house with two other single male house-mates due to the economy. We get, on average, one UPS or FedEx delivery per week. If I hear a knock at the door, I just go answer the door. It's just not that big a deal. __________________ Just remember, when you pull the trigger, the bullets come out going very, very fast. So make sure to keep the weapon pointing away from you.

October 22, 2011, 07:20 AM	#7
TheNocturnus Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,097	Well seeing as I have my guns on me 99% of the time, I answer the door armed. Right now I just got out of bed, I have been having trouble sleeping lately, and am not armed. If fedex were to show up right now, I'd go and grab a gun just in case. I don't take any chances anymore. __________________ My EDC: Gun Wallet Brain (Use this one the most) Last edited by TheNocturnus; October 22, 2011 at 07:44 AM.

October 22, 2011, 08:26 AM	#9
Ditto_95 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 154	I know my Fedex woman and UPS guy so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them at my door. Well it would be for the UPS guy since he won't get out if the truck because he is afraid of my Doberman. Unknown knockers get the hidden gun treatment. __________________ Finem Respice Consider the end Principils Obsta Resist the beginings

October 22, 2011, 08:44 AM	#10
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I answer the door when someone knocks. Yes, I look out the door window first. If I happen to be carrying, I'm armed at the door. If not, I don't go get it. The possibility that someone knocking on my door at "normal" hours might be a criminal does not so much as enter my mind. I have never heard of a forceful home invasion anywhere even remotely close to this area. Robberies are nonexistent. A burglary is the talk of the town for weeks, and I can't even remember the last true "BREAK-in". The burglaries are unlocked cars and homes and even then extremely rare. Most people around here do not lock their homes and only their cars if they happen to leave something valuable inside, although the car locking is more prevalent now with remotes. The "trouble" in this area is bored teenagers on their bicycles. They are unarmed, mean no real harm and run away if you yell at them. Someone did vandalize the playground across the road last year... by scratching their FIRST and LAST name into the plastic! Is that violent crime? Or just stupid? __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

October 22, 2011, 04:06 AM	#3
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Really? Although criminals disguised as Fedex workers aren't entirely unknown, I'd probably go answer the door without a weapon.

October 22, 2011, 06:41 AM	#5
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,552	I answer the door like a normal person when I see the FedEx guy... with my carry weapon in my waistband like normal. Chances are he/she has a case of ammo for me.

October 22, 2011, 07:13 AM	#6
bigkrackers Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 117	I have a three security cameras pointed at my front door to get multiple angles. I also use state of the art facial recognition and facial/voice emotional detection software. The concrete slab that makes up my front porch is electrified and has a 4x4x7 foot security cage that can be deployed from the roof overhanging my doorway. This is all just the first layer of my home defense. I have 12 additional layers. Seriously though, I try not to be too paranoid in my own house. It all depends on the situation (day, night, early, late) and who is at the door. I have a clear view of my front door from a window. I'm not important enough and don't live in a rich neighborhood to warrant any elaborate UPS or FedEx getups. So I take it one at a time. I will say that I always am armed if a girl scout is at my door. They will rob you blind and before you know it you're left explaining to the wife why you have a dozen boxes of cookies stuffed in the cupboard.

October 22, 2011, 07:54 AM	#8
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,016	Since I will be able to see the fedex guy standing at my door ....and the fedex truck out in the street, I wont be cracking open the door and peeking out with a gun hidden from view behind my back.

October 22, 2011, 09:21 AM	#11
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	1) I swore to myself I wasn't going to get drawn into these scenario threads... 2) I thank God I didn't end up working for FedEx or UPS as a delivery driver.

October 22, 2011, 10:11 AM	#12
dyl Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,310	I've only approached the door with gun in hand on 1 occasion and I was pretty spooked at night. I spoke through the door and had no intention of opening up. That might be a story for another time though I don't remember if I already told that story on the forum or not. Usually not gun in waistband for me - my M&P40c has no safety if I'm wearing jeans, and my sweatpants would give a great view of the moon during the day under the weight. A j-frame in the pocket can usually stay in the pocket all day long. Even in great threads there are times when folks misunderstand the question asked or the answer is just so simple for them they don't see a need for discussion - don't worry about them. I guess for me to generalize - if I'm carrying concealed already I usually don't disarm unless it is SO uncomfortable that I need a break (usually doesn't happen..except maybe the belly band). I usually don't do gun in hand because I might have to sign something. I usually don't carry IWB without a holster for the reasons mentioned previously. If i know I'm going to spend a long time in one place in the house I usually do move my CCW there if I'm not wearing it. Before I started learning about all this awareness and self defense culture I really did have an attitude of opening the door right away for anyone - and other issues like that. Wouldn't have wanted to be impolite.

October 22, 2011, 10:27 AM	#13
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	In my previous place, I'd be really confused as to why the delivery guy was at my door and hadn't left the packages with the front desk. Having been an apartment dweller for so long, I hadn't really thought about it. But even when living in buildings without a front desk, there's always been at least one other locked door that someone would have to get through. So knocking directly on my door has always aroused suspicion, but mostly of the "dangit someone let a solicitor into the building" type. Now that I live in a house again, I would just answer the door if I were expecting a package.

October 22, 2011, 10:27 AM	#14
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	I just go to the door. I can't imagine that I would ever be afraid to answer when I saw a FedX truck. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

October 22, 2011, 11:06 AM	#15
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	I carry at home, so there's no CCW to go and retrieve. My dogs bark their heads off when a FedEx, UPS, USPS etc truck arrives, so there are no surprises. The drivers keep a healthy distance from the door, due to the barking of the dogs. Dogs and holsters... too bad all scenarios aren't so easy.

October 22, 2011, 11:44 AM	#16
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,177	Same here. My CCW is on my hip unless I'm in bed or in the shower, so when I go to the door I am armed. My dogs are also pretty enthusiastic about informing me that someone is near/at the door.

October 22, 2011, 12:26 PM	#17
TX_QtPi Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2011 Location: TX Posts: 101	funny, I just had the J-witness come to the door, I have 4 pit-bulls that are cross trained for obedience and protection, so no worries getting the door with out my pistol in hand (though if it's after dark and there is an unexpected knock at the door I do keep it drawn when I answer). But this J-witness guy had a can of pepper spray in his hand when I answered, so as he starts his speech and putting the pepper spray away to hand me his pamphlet I interrupted and asked him what he intended to do with that (pepper spray) he LAUGHED it off and said since he heard the dogs he got it out as a precaution. I told him, "I'm sorry but if I wanted my dogs to take you down they would have already." My dogs are my kids and they are trained to protect me, and I'm thinking what nerve of this guy to think he would pepper spray a dog to hand out his pamphlets! dood, you're uninvited, you're not making your living this way, and you're not delivering something I ordered so if ya hear the dogs, back away...cause either you'll find the wrong end of a hand gun in your face or you'll be dog chow... same goes for the would be criminals, disguised or not. __________________ "The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."

October 22, 2011, 12:48 PM	#18
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,552	Wow, that's pretty ballsy of him, and just might get him hurt someday. I can see someone who has to go to your door as part of their job carrying pepper spray (postal and delivery workers, utility workers, etc.), but a freaking J's witness proselytizing??? Yikes

October 22, 2011, 01:27 PM	#19
Pezo Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Vernors and orange barrels. Posts: 661	In regards to the j witness with mace. yeah bad call on his part. Some one at some point hopefully can enlightened him in a nice way that acting like that either in a non chalant way is not a good idea. When you approach someone else's property and you dont feel right about it do to whatever reason best coarse of action is to return to where you were. In regards to fed ex question, during normal hours and I live in a generally good area I would not make it a pointe to have a firearm on me if it wasnt on me to begin with. However, I would not purposely dis arm for any trivial reason.

October 22, 2011, 01:42 PM	#20
BlackFeather Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: West Coast Posts: 450	Well, due to the way my apartment in Oregon is set up, if I had to use any gun I'd likely end up shooting my neighbor. I keep a large wooden club(Bokken), next to the door. If it's not there, I have about... 7 other weapons on the walls for decor. Here in California, I have a knife, and NO ONE uses the front door. If I saw the FedEx guy, I'd likely get someone else to answer as it's not for me. Though I have a habit of being the "puppy" that follows them to meet with who ever knocked. I have been in a situation where I was cleaning a throwing knife and the mail carrier knocked. For some reason it startled me because I wasn't expecting it. So, I answered the door with a knife behind my back. Anyway, most of the time I see no reason to have a weapon on you for answering the door, but there have been times where I have just because it felt better to do so. __________________ "Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." - Miyamoto Musashi [Insert random irrelevant religious quote here]

October 22, 2011, 01:59 PM	#21
besafe2 Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 117	Just answer the door & get my package __________________ "Blessed be the Lord my strength,which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight". Psalm 144:1 KJV Be safe: Paul

October 22, 2011, 02:17 PM	#22
Patriot86 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,293	I can't remember the last time I read about the fake Fed-Ex guy actually having a Fed-Ex truck....I think i would just go right out. Also, both the UPS and Fex-Ex guys have normal times when they show up. If it was vastly outside of the normal window I MIGHT be a little more cautious.

October 22, 2011, 02:23 PM	#23
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I live in the country, have about 2 acres fully dog proffed fence and keep two big dogs running loose. On a dirt road and second from the dead end with a gate out front thats 100% locked at all times. The fed ex driver either leaves packages by the road or alot of times the drop off packages at my P.O. box in town so I never have to worry about or deal with people knocking at my door. But if I see someone at the gate I almost always have a handgun just in case but thats only about once every nine months or so.

October 22, 2011, 02:32 PM	#25
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	I usually know when deliveries are due, so I would likely know if I was expecting the Fedex guy. If not, I might be a little more suspicious. While I don't normally carry, I usually have a sturdy light and knife in my pocket anyway, so no I doubt I would go retrieve a firearm.