Child at your door! What would you do?

[ExaltedOne]

This was taken from another source read the post and then give your opinion.

A few days ago I hear the handle on my front door working like mad. Looking at the door I was really confused because I couldn't see anyone through the glass or the sidelight. Walking over I look down and see a little mop of brown hair belonging to a little girl around 2 years old. It was early afternoon and in short order I found her mom who was visiting our next door neighbor. Her response was "Oh there you are!"

So my question is what do you do with a small child on your doorstep who is not old enough to tell you anything? Does your course of action change by time of day? As I thought this through I thought about someone using a kid as bait to open a door. So your thoughts?

To open or not to open?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Brad426]

I woulda opened until I read the thread about the BEK. Now I'm totally freaked out by the idea of a kid at my door!

[Darrow75]

I woulda opened until I read the thread about the BEK. Now I'm totally freaked out by the idea of a kid at my door!

I was about to say the same thing!

[Exacto]

Criminals know our weaknesses. They are not above using a child to disarm you to gain entry, so if the child is not in distress, don't open the door.

[RickyD]

For a 2 year old, I am checking the porch through the window and then opening assuming nothing suspicious.

I have a neighbor who's 3 year old wondered off several years ago. We found him unharmed after a 15 or 20 minute search, but the fact is small children do wonder off occasionally. Having children at home right now, I understand this and in fact I am very used to children knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell. Most are between the ages of 5 and 9 and I know most of them from being in the neighborhood, but occasionally kids I don't know show. Having kids around is part of every day life.

Staying aware does not mean living in a bubble, at least for me. I refuse to not help a 2 year old if I can.

[ccw9mm]

It's situations like this that dramatically highlight the need to have a clear field of view from the front door/entry area, without hiding spots.

I'm always armed anyway, always look out the windows first to determine who's there, always use the wide-view peep-hole, and always answer the door armed. And generally I require people call ahead, before visits/gatherings. That mix doesn't catch everything, but IMO it comes as reasonably close as I'm prepared to deal with considering my refusal to accept turning my lifestyle on its head.

A 2yr old child on the porch? After scanning, I'm pretty sure I'd be opening the door. Armed and aware, of course.

[Str8upguy]

I'm sure I would open the door for a child. I'm always armed and try to stay aware of what's going on around me. What is BEK?

[WHEC724]

A child in distress on my doorstep is getting help from me.

If someone is using this as a ruse for a home invasion, they'd better be ready for a gun fight.

[Inspector71]

I'm sure I would open the door for a child. I'm always armed and try to stay aware of what's going on around me. What is BEK?

Black eyed kid. Don't let them in

[WHEC724]

Black eyed kid. Don't let them in

My home is protected both physically and spiritually.

[paaiyan]

I'd probably open the door. Unless I'm expecting someone I never open it without a gun in hand.

[NH_Esau]

My house is a known safe place. I'm opening the door. I'm staying aware as I always am, but I'm opening the door.

I'd rather die than be so scared to do so that I wouldn't help a kid.

"A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come." - Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

[Ksgunner]

I am going to help a child. I am not so cold that I could turn away when a child needs help.

[TexasBill]

I have a delay on my alarm system - I can take my gun or push a button and I get three minutes delay before the alarm is sent. I can push the button and as long as I put the gun back or shut it off the alarm will not go. No matter what, if someone is at my door I am likely to answer it, particularly if it is a child. I will be prepared but seriously folks, we are humans and cannot let the behavior of a few bad apples affect the way that we treat others.

The golden rule - if this was YOUR two year old - what would you HOPE someone would do if she was lost?

[Yoda]

When I was a kid the "safe" houses had painted hand prints in the windows. They were the homes of other elementary school kids.

I don't know how they made sure but back then most everyone was safe and friendly.


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