ok, A few weeks ago a stranger walked in my front door..no knock or anything

[likesmountains 52]

I am a single, what you might call "older" woman. I do not own a gun. Turns out he thought he was visiting the people next door, bid a hasty retreat when I asked him "what the hell are you doing in my house." and went next door. All this gun talk has gotten me thinking....I would not have had time to shoot him unless I already had a gun pointed at the front door, but what if I had shot him? He was clearly not a threat.
Kind of reinforces my view that not everyone needs a gun.

[mnhtnbb]

1. Why isn't your door locked?

[panader0]

2. I never lock my door

I live in the boonies, don't own a gun and have nothing worth stealing except a few guitars. I don't like living in fear.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. whoa. lock your door

[handmade34]

53. I didn't lock my doors

(house or car) for over 50 years... I have to now that I travel and live in hotels...

[RobietheCat]

78. Different times

Call for different measures.

You really need to lock your door, you would have been more in control. Secure your windows and back doors to whatever degree your neighborhood demands. But by all means, lock the front door, its 2012.

[stlsaxman]

22. i live in the city and there are times i'm home when my front door is unlocked all day...

no one knows it or even tries the knob. Sometimes i forget.

like in "Bowling For Columbine" MM talks to all these people in Canadian cities that NEVER lock their doors.

[slampoet]

29. So you'd rather shoot someone accidentally who isn't a threat rather than lock a door?

I say lock your door. It will protect the world from you.

[panader0]

49. Like I said in my post, I don't own a gun.

Not much chance of shooting anyone.

[slampoet]

67. I didn't say protect the world from your gun, I said protect the world from you.

[Auntie Bush]

32. I don't lock my door either or my car.

But I did get a Jack Russell last year and feel much safer than if I had a gun. That man would have never gotten one single foot in my house without getting it torn off...but she is the sweetest dog one could ever want.

[RebelOne]

35. My door is always locked at night.

I am also a single woman, so I do not take any chances that the person at my door is harmless.

[southernyankeebelle]

38. Me too. I don't own a gun. I live on 12 acres and my hubby works at night. I have nothing

of value. I have the best buglar alarm though. I have 3 dogs and they sure let me know when something is out there. I love the peace and quiet. I don't want to live in fear ever.

[Raine]

40. Some of the worse crimes happen in the "boonies" because people have a false

sense of security, best not to don't take anything for granted.

[panader0]

57. What, really could happen?

So a crazed meth addict wants money or what? I don't have much of value, certainly nothing worth the value of my life or his.
I really believe in that "peace and love" stuff. Take my TV. It's a gift.

[BlueToTheBone]

62. crazed meth addict has no thoughts (the drug kills the neuron chain)

and certainly would not reason in the same way a normal human would.

I personally value my life and person, I keep my front door locked.

[AtheistCrusader]

68. Sadly, sometimes, some people are only interested in one thing.

Your life.

I get not wanting to lock your doors. I find it an inconvenience as well. Especially since locks really just keep the honest people out.

Maybe consider a dog? Even a small one will give you quite a lot of security benefit.

[robinlynne]

72. I live in los angeles, and leave my door open. We are all close neighbors, mostly single women, and

we watch out for each other.

[L0oniX]

43. WT* ...this is the USA ...you don't live in Canada where people leave everything unlocked.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Not everyone lives in a constant state of panic and fear.

Although many Americans do.

Most Americans are trained to live in a state of fear by their masters in the corporate media and their backers...the 1%.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

19. Locking your door is fear and panic?

I live in a "low crime" area. But if you don't lock your car doors, people will eventually come around, try them, and steal CDs and such right out of them.

[A HERETIC I AM]

27. It is certainly fear.

The OP describes an incident that was an honest mistake, the individual left without incident (and I would assume an apology, a bit embarrassed) and I am willing to bet this sort of thing has NEVER happened to her before and likely won't again. Unless the same guy is a drunk or suffers from address dyslexia!

Yes, locking your doors is done out of fear. The overwhelming majority of people aren't going to hurt you or steal your CD's.


I'm reminded of the Canadian guy that Michael Moore interviewed in his film Bowling for Columbine regarding this very sort of thing. He thought it silly that one would have to lock his doors. And he lived in Windsor, if I remember correctly.

Windsor is right across the river from Detroit, BTW.

On a silly side note, going from Detroit to Windsor is the only place in the US where one actually travels South to get into Canada.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

45. I don't care about the overwhelming majority of people

I care about the people who were committing a wave of car thefts late at night in front of people's houses in my area, testing the doors and taking out whatever they could quietly without waking anyone up.

[A HERETIC I AM]

63. Okie Doke. 'Nuff said. n/t

[jberryhill]

33. Locking your car doors is not really a good idea

Don't keep valuables in your car.

I own a ragtop, which can be cut, but still - anyone who wants to get into your locked car can smash a window.

Anyone who wants to have a look around inside my car can simply open the door. There is nothing in there to take. But if they cut the roof or smash a window to find out, then I'm going to have to pay to fix it.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

46. People don't smash a car window in the middle of the night in a small neighborhood

They test the doors, and if they happen to be open, take what they like.

Taking valuables out of my car sounds like fear.

[jberryhill]

47. They do in mine

A whole bunch of my neighbors have had things stolen from their cars in the last few months. I'm personally mystified by why there are things in their cars to steal. They are cars, not storage closets.

By the way, would you like to buy a nice used GPS unit?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

50. If someone started smashing windows in my neighborhood, people would be out of their houses quick

It's a quiet street with enough houses around that someone would react.

People will steal anything. I'm not talking about leaving jewelry and money in a car, but why should I have to lug my car care kit(battery pack, air compressor, etc.....you know, stuff you need for a car) in every night?

[jberryhill]

56. Do you have a trunk?

One thing that casual thieves look for are power adapters for phones and GPS devices. Even if the device is not plugged in, the adapter in the cigarette lighter suggests there may be one in the glove compartment or under a seat.

As with homes, dogs are still the best bet. Leave a dog in your car, and you'll be fine.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

58. I have a trunk

But if someone opens the door, it's not hard to get in the trunk even if you put the valet lock on (but wait....we shouldn't lock!). You can pull back the rear seats.

[robinlynne]

73. not the poor dog!

[jberryhill]

74. She loves it in there

On bright sunny days, she just relaxes and lays there for hours.

[robinlynne]

75. You must live in a colder place. i live in LA. during the summer cant take her into the car until

night time.

[jberryhill]

77. Naww... Phoenix

She's been so comfy in there, she hasn't moved for about three days so far.

[Fumesucker]

34. CD's? I guess you missed that whole Napster thing..

[jberryhill]

48. They warp in the heat anyway

My 8 track tapes got all messed up that way just last month.

[Warren Stupidity]

61. because no burglar has ever managed to get past a locked door?

If I wanted to break into your house it would likely take less time to go through your locked door than to open it. And if the door is a problem the windows certainly aren't.

I'm not saying don't lock your doors, but seriously, it doesn't stop anyone from gaining entrance it they really want to.

[RobietheCat]

80. True but

.....when you're in twenties, you ability to respond to a strange man, not at the door, but IN the door. When your older, clearly not everyone is as spry. Time can count for a lot.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Many of us live in places where we don't routinely lock our doors when we're home. n/t

[xmas74]

7. I only lock mine after dark.

And that's the front door, since I like to be in the backyard when it's not so hot out.

The back door isn't locked until I decide it's time to go to my bedroom. If I'm in my room, all doors are locked.

[likesmountains 52]

10. I only lock it when I go to bed, the screen door was open letting cool air in.

[kiva]

11. Why would you think that everyone locks their door?

I did when I lived in an apartment, mostly because of what the OP is talking about, easy for someone to mistake my place for theirs.

[gollygee]

15. I don't lock my doors during the day

My kids are running in and out all the time. And it's inconvenient. But I live in a small town with very little crime.

[Luminous Animal]

20. I never used to lock my door and I live in the Castro district in San Francisco...

my husband became increasingly uncomfortable about the idea so I conceded. Funny that. When I was in the habit of keeping my door unlocked while I was home, we were robbed twice when we were out and the door was locked.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

24. Greetings from a fellow door-locker!

I live in the reality-based world, not one based on fear and panic, as suggested here. Fear and panic, IMO, entails blinding flood lights, attack dogs, security systems, and... guns.

I lock my car doors too (what a wimp!), and never had one stolen. My trusting brother, OTOH, learned the hard way: 2 cars stolen due to unlocked doors. Same with bikes. Way back in junior high, our parents matched our savings and we bought shiny new Schwinns. Mine locked - not stolen; his unlocked - stolen. It's just common sense.

Lockers of the world unite!

[MrMickeysMom]

30. This is the universal thing to do... country or city slickers

Keep honest people honest and no mowing down those who come in by "mistake"!

[uponit7771]

31. delete

[progressoid]

70. The point of the post. You missed it.

[nadine_mn]

76. I never lock my door

Whether in the house or away. I do lock my car though. Doesn't matter if I live in the boonies, city or suburbs... I am not a door locker.

[oldhippie]

4. Depends on your state ....

Each state controls such laws. Texas is much different than New York.

[HockeyMom]

8. I forgot to lock my apartment door in NYC countless times

even still do in Florida Land of the Gun. Ok, maybe not good, but I will not live my life in FEAR. Still alive, not raped, at the age of 63. The odds are I will die of OLD AGE before I am killed by somebody with a gun.

[likesmountains 52]

66. You're so right. Some mornings I go out to get the newspaper and find my keys still in the front

door lock. Maybe I am complacent, but at least I don't live in fear yet.

[rrneck]

12. It would have been a tragic accident. nt

[PoliticAverse]

13. Btw, did you actually verify he was visiting the people next door ? n/t

[likesmountains 52]

21. Yes, I watched him go next door, and a few day later my neighbor came over an apologized for him.

[Serve The Servants]

14. Lock your door...

I ignored the rest.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

16. It was bad form for him to not even say "Sorry"

Honestly, who walks into a house they've apparently never been to without knocking?

[likesmountains 52]

23. I agree, i even asked him "Who the hell just walks in somone's house?"

[dixiegrrrrl]

25. Kinda makes me wonder what he was really up to....

I always lock my door..have lived alone for years and years, but now even with Mr. Dixie here, I lock it.
house is too big to hear anyone on the porch if I am busy or have headphones on.
We have an increase in break-ins, since the meth heads have found this area.
We are down a long driveway, can't be seen from the street, and I have been surprised at the number of people who come a'knocking.
If I don't know them, I just let the dog go nutz at the front door. They do not stick around long.


Love my privacy.

[Blanks]

17. You should keep a sharp stick by your door.

I am told that a sharp stick is every bit as effective to massacre people. In case you ever feel threatened.

I may be paraphrasing the actual conversation, but I think I'm close.

[Skittles]

18. I cannot IMAGINE keeping my door unlocked

gun or no gun

[Kaleva]

26. I awoke one morning hearing a lady downstairs say "I think someone lives here!"

Right after that, she and other person she was with (who I think was a guy) left. I got up, got dressed and went downstairs. Nothing was amiss but I noticed my sink was full of dirty dishes. I thought that if I had known strangers were going to be walking around my house early in the morning, I should have washed the dishes and cleaned up the place a it before I went to bed. Lesson learned!

[xchrom]

28. I lock my door because my dogs don't bark.

But if a stranger walks in with out me - the greeting isn't fun.

My dogs mean the world to me & I don't want anything bad to happen to them.

[Prism]

36. My door is wide open all day

Mainly because I like the Bay breeze wafting through the apartment. We live in an apartment that shares a numbered address (i.e. 123, 123A, 123B, etc), so we get the errant visitor and delivery type. Occasionally, someone will poke their head in through the door. The worst that happens is they get to see one of us in our boxers. But hey, they take their chances.

[Skip Intro]

37. Did you see him go into the house next door?

Just curious.

On locking of doors, mine are locked, but in reality, if someone wants to come in, locks won't stop them, only slow them down.

On owning a gun, I don't at the moment, but it is on my list of things to do this year, along with training to use it. I would take the mere presence of a stranger in my house as a danger to my life and property, and if need be would act accordingly.

If you won't own a gun, I suggest owning some sort of self defense. The next stranger you find in your house might not be there accidentally.

And with everyone else I say, lock your doors.

[likesmountains 52]

41. yes, I watched him. A few days later my neighbor came over and apologized for him.

[Raine]

39. I had that happen about 30yrs ago, after that I make sure the door is locked. Good thing I did

because one time a guy who was running from the cops attempted to run thru my house. The door was locked so he jumped my back fence instead. Too bad for him I live on a steep hillside and he ended up at the bottom. I live in Los Angeles County, no way in hell I would leave my door unlocked. I can't even remember WHY it was the time the wrong way guy came in. Maybe I was expecting company or was careless or something.

On edit I wanted to add since people asked the OP that ... YES I know it was an honest mix up. The guy next door gave dance lessons and people came and went, they would just walk in. The fellow that made the mistake apologized and was obviously upset by his mistake.

[4th law of robotics]

42. Good thing he didn't have any ill-intentions

if he had you would have had limited options.

/having a gun doesn't necessitate using it. Discretion is possible.

[Curmudgeoness]

44. I am glad to see that I am not the only one who doesn't always lock my door.

I lock up at night and when I am not home, but if I am here, the house is open. I suppose I should have more fear, but I don't want to live that way.

One time when I lived in an apartment, I used to leave the door open so the cats could go out on the porch. I went to bed and forgot to shut the door. I woke up in the middle of the night with my neighbor calling me from the living room with a shotgun in his hand. I scared the shit out of him....now that really was stupid of me. I am usually more cautious than that.

[NV Whino]

51. I didn't even have a key to my house for the first three years I lived here

[bowens43]

52. A dog is much better protection then a gun

no on e really needs a gun.... guns are about want, not need and not protection.

[likesmountains 52]

54. I have a dog, but she was out in the back yard when this happened.

[crimson77]

55. My Grandfather always had a gun on him.

He would sit in his lounge chair in the corner and it would be in a sleeve like thing on the side. He was a tough s.o.b retired cop and he would let me climb all over him and from an early age I was told never to put my hand in the sleeve thing and coming from him I never would have thought to.

If I'm you i would have at least screamed as loud as I could, that guy is an asshole for not knocking.

[BlueToTheBone]

59. And that you need to keep your front screen or door locked. n/t

[Spitfire of ATJ]

60. We keep the back door open most of the time in the summer since it has a screen door.

But it goes into a back yard that has a locks on the gates.

[JohnnyRingo]

64. 99% of the people in the world have good intent.

It's just that the 1% make so much noise they seem bigger.

If we go about preparing ourselves for every tragedy that life could potentially spring upon us, we'll go insane.

I think we saw a bout of that temporary insanity after 9/11, when the collective country searched desperately for a way to prevent another attack from ever happening again. All we got was a false sense of security. Someday, it will happen again.

In 2004, John Kerry suggested we should expect some terror plots to succeed, and was roundly criticized for it. I believe that if some kook wants to kill a group of people, all the regulations, safeguards, and enforcement will fail to stop him from finding a way.

Thank goodness their numbers are small.

[benld74]

65. Similar thing happened to us,,,

We were not at home. At a school function. Our teen was sitting her younger sister. Texts from teen tells me a guy came over looking for me. I came home, questioned both of them. Teen was in the shower, sister in back of the house, and a guy is suddenly in hbouse asking her wheres your pop?

I KNEW I didnt know the guy. I berated them to KEEP THE DAMN DOOR LOCKED!

Turns out he was looking for the guy next door to us, and the guy knew him. He laughed about it. Hes a jerk by the way.
COuld have been a whole lot worse.

[Maynar]

69. How's that go again?

Oh yeah: "Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel."

[snooper2]

71. Usually the sight of a gun is all it takes...

I don't believe in the shoot to kill shit either..

If somebody was to attack you and they didn't have a gun take the kneecaps out---

[emilyg]

79. Lock your door. Common sense.

[spin]

81. If you chose a firearm for self defense you need to know firearm safety ...

and how to use your weapon effectively. That may involve taking a safety training course and going to a range and practicing on a regular basis.

But first you need to be positive that you could actually use your weapon to shoot another person in a true life or death situation. Not everyone can. I don't consider that to be a character fault in the least.

I totally agree that not everybody needs a gun. I am definitely a pro-gun person and those such as me often get criticized for wishing that everybody was armed. As with many other accusations about gun owners, this is false. I often try to discourage many people from owning a firearm for self defense especially if they have little or no experience with such weapons. Practicing basic commonsense security (such as locking your door) may be all you ever have to do to be reasonably safe. Statistics show that the violent crime rate has fallen to levels last seen in the 60s.

I feel that not owning a firearm is quite possibly right decision for you.

[HeiressofBickworth]

82. My mother was a very fearful person

and trained us kids to keep the doors locked at all times. Out of habit, I still lock all the doors when I'm at home, day or night. It irritates the others who live here because they have to use their keys when they get home from work/school, but too bad. We live in a pretty safe neighborhood, haven't had a break-in in many years. About 8 years ago, some kids went through our cars, but we keep them locked now, too. I've been here since the 1970's and I don't ever recall a home burglary. But, I'll still lock all the doors -- old habits being hard to break.