Dealing with Unwanted Visitors to Your House/Property

[kelcarry]

I like to write letters to the paper and most are critical of something going on in our current asylum called the US that is run by its inmates. Suppose I anger enough people who decide that they will plant themselves on my property or at my doorstep and hurl insults thru signs and shouts but do not present that "imminent danger" precursor to actually needing or using a firearm. 1) If I greet them at my door am I allowed to hold my firearm at my side as I tell them to get the heck off my doorstep? 2) Am I allowed to the same as I tell them to get off my property? 3) Suppose they ignore 1 and 2---are they trespassing? I assume this does not rise to the level of a citizens arrest and if it does have I right to show my firearm in a more direct manner? 4) At what point would any of you consider any actions "imminent threat"?--To me it does not rise to that level by just trespass; it means accosting (touching/pushing that causes fear in the midst of angry people etal) my wife or myself as I enter/leave my house or actually causing criminal mischief/vandalism using a rock or paint on my home? Do you agree with me?
I would add that my first step, other than "greeting" these people with a firearm at my side, would be to call 911 and have them sort it out and assist and put these people on tresspass notice. In my book, doing any of the above in the middle of the night would cause a presumption on my part of imminent threat and all bets are off. I should note that in SC we have a law on the books that, at night, would allow me to execute a citizens arrest if I were to presume the possibility of a felony and I can use deadly force to maintain that arrest until police arrive.

 

[Blacksheep]

If you are concerned with the possibility of someone trespassing on your property because of your "letters to the editor", I would suggest you post "No Trespassing" signs. There is no reason to even confront them at that point. Call 911 and let the police handle it. If you have reasonable fear for your property and or life, then you need to consider the consequences. Keep in mind if you appear with a gun without provocation, you will likely be considered the aggressor. Only a fool uses "stand your ground" as a reason to escalate a situation which might otherwise be settled peacefully. A shooting is never a good outcome, even if you are in the right. You must live with your decision. Be aware, but don't become paranoid. Just my two cents.

 

[CRW]

I would keep your gun hidden unless it's totally necessary and while confronting them, I would suggest either a video camera or tape recorder. It's your word against theirs if it gets ugly and if for some reason your weapon is seen by them, there is a possibility of a menacing charge against you. I know that sounds crazy but it happens. The laws here in Colorado are kind of vague when it comes to menacing and that's one charge I don't want on my record since it is a felony here.

I would do as blacksheep says and put up "no trespassing" signs. If they trespass, then they are breaking the law and the cops can remove them from your property.

I believe in your situation, things would be best handled by the cops. No sense in getting yourself caught up in a bad situation

 

[Treo]

Guns aren't to imtimidate or to make a point or to use as an enforcement tool.

 

[kelcarry]

Just a clarification. I am not overly concerned about any of the scenarios but wanted to see what others' thoughts were on the scenario(s) I put forth in my thread. Not being concerned, trespassing signs are not in the future and, as Treo said ( I believe) in a reverse order, presumption of imminent threat to life or great bodily injury are the only reasons for having a firearm out and visible. I keep thinking about the bank president during the banking crisis who had his home surrounded by a mob of SEIU/ACORN slimebuckets doing the bidding of the garbage in the whitehouse---there is a point where the presumption of imminent threat becomes very real--knowing when that is with a mob outside your house screaming threats and obscenities becomes a situation that is cause for concern--IMO.

 

[araczynski]

i thought drawing a gun in the presence of another person (who might be threatened/offended/etc by the act) is considered brandishing a firearm (even if you are ccw/registered), which is bad for you, m'kaaayyy? then again, each state has its own rules on that too i suppose.

 

[BC1]

"will plant themselves on my property or at my doorstep "

Probably a good idea to review the law in your state. Personally, I would ask, ONCE, for them to leave. Any refusal or delay would result in calling the police. Any aggressive movement and the dog does its job. If they fight the dog I too will jump-in.

I once motioned for a guy to slow down as he flew down my little country road in his Benz. He stopped to argue. I was very nice and told him there's kids riding bikes on the road. He said he'd be back after he dropped-off his son. I advised him not to return. A short time later I was sitting on the porch steps tying my running shoes, about to head out for a run when he returned. He was a health club parakeet; you know, huge upper body and little spindly legs? Anyway, I again asked him to leave but this "Jersey Shore Wannabe" was pumped up. I simply pressed the garage door opener, letting out my GSD. He shrieked like a little girl. The dog held him quietly against his car until police arrived. I refused to file charges. The point was made.

It's YOUR property. Let no one remain there who causes you trouble.

 

[kelcarry]

i thought drawing a gun in the presence of another person (who might be threatened/offended/etc by the act) is considered brandishing a firearm (even if you are ccw/registered), which is bad for you, m'kaaayyy? then again, each state has its own rules on that too i suppose.

I am in my house and, IMO, an obnoxious and uninvited person or group of people show up at my doorstep. I believe (kindly correct me if I am wrong) that when I answer the door with a visible firearm in my hand at my side, it is not brandishing. If it is not brandishing as I am standing in my home, can this also be the case outside on my property under a similar meeting with a person or people uninvited?

 

[Tucker's Mom]

"will plant themselves on my property or at my doorstep "

Probably a good idea to review the law in your state. Personally, I would ask, ONCE, for them to leave. Any refusal or delay would result in calling the police. Any aggressive movement and the dog does its job. If they fight the dog I too will jump-in.

I once motioned for a guy to slow down as he flew down my little country road in his Benz. He stopped to argue. I was very nice and told him there's kids riding bikes on the road. He said he'd be back after he dropped-off his son. I advised him not to return. A short time later I was sitting on the porch steps tying my running shoes, about to head out for a run when he returned. He was a health club parakeet; you know, huge upper body and little spindly legs? Anyway, I again asked him to leave but this "Jersey Shore Wannabe" was pumped up. I simply pressed the garage door opener, letting out my GSD. He shrieked like a little girl. The dog held him quietly against his car until police arrived. I refused to file charges. The point was made.

It's YOUR property. Let no one remain there who causes you trouble.

That is the beauty of having a very well trained dog...he knows his job.

 

[SGB]

Don't open the door until LE arrives.

 

[araczynski]

I am in my house and, IMO, an obnoxious and uninvited person or group of people show up at my doorstep. I believe (kindly correct me if I am wrong) that when I answer the door with a visible firearm in my hand at my side, it is not brandishing. If it is not brandishing as I am standing in my home, can this also be the case outside on my property under a similar meeting with a person or people uninvited?

in the end, it will be your word against a group of however many, who will be saying you were pointing it at their faces, their kids, and little puppies.

 

[Nightmare45]

Between the two trained dogs (large), cameras, security system and living in Texas, posting the property can and will work, police will be called, anyone on my ranch or home property will be removed once peacefully. The no trespassing signs they have notified them already. With regard to possible questions about in another language, in order to become a US citizen you must be able to speak, read and write the English language and as far as ranch purple paint on fence post or trees work. Again they will only be ask to leave peacefully ONCE. As far as wearing a weapon or having one in my hand on my property no problem for me.

 

[Mobuck]

Around here, once told to leave, the offender is guilty of criminal trespass if they linger. Honestly, if you know why those folks are there, just call the fuzz and let them disperse the group. I've met unknowns at my door with my gun in hand several times and don't feel a bit bad about it. I also don't hold it against a person for being cautious when answering the door when I visit their home. I am very careful how I approach and step well back from the door after knocking so the person can see me and my ID. I remove sunglasses and tilt my cap back so they have some assurance I'm not attempting to hide my identity.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Mobuck...not to be rude, you said

Around here, once told to leave...

where is "here"?

Just asking...

 

[Treo]

I once motioned for a guy to slow down as he flew down my little country road in his Benz. He stopped to argue. I was very nice and told him there's kids riding bikes on the road. He said he'd be back after he dropped-off his son. I advised him not to return. A short time later I was sitting on the porch steps tying my running shoes, about to head out for a run when he returned. He was a health club parakeet; you know, huge upper body and little spindly legs? Anyway, I again asked him to leave but this "Jersey Shore Wannabe" was pumped up. I simply pressed the garage door opener, letting out my GSD. He shrieked like a little girl. The dog held him quietly against his car until police arrived. I refused to file charges. The point was made.

Just curious but what, exactly, did this accomplish? Do you think that this guy is out there somewhere today driving slower through neigborhood because you motioned to him? Or did you just hand him an excuse to get into your grill?

 

[fudo]

Guns aren't to intimidate or to make a point or to use as an enforcement tool.

The hell they're not. I was fortunately able to draw my Commander, point it at the leader of a group of 6 bad guys, who was brandishing a 3' axe handle. When I pointed that Colt at him, I was hoping like hell that I was intimidating him, because he was 1 step from being shot. Happily, he had a change of plans at the last minute and no shot was required. That was me enforcing my desire to live another day.I was making my point as clearly as I could. Range was 10'-12'.

 

[eagleeyes]

wow glad that turned out ok fudo
whew dang one gotta do what one must do
that's one way of telling those axe murderers to :stop:

 

[BC1]

Just curious but what, exactly, did this accomplish? Do you think that this guy is out there somewhere today driving slower through neigborhood because you motioned to him? Or did you just hand him an excuse to get into your grill?

Motioning to him was a better option than throwing a shovel in the road. Despite being an a$$ he's a local business owner with a repuation to protect. He doesn't need an arrest and all the publicity. Letting him go was the right thing to do. He drives slow on my road now. He'll NEVER come near me looking for trouble again. What he does elsewhere isn't my concern.

 

[CathyInBlue]

Open your front door and step out onto the front porch or stoop with your favourite open carry rig on your hip. Do not point to it. Do not let your hand go to it. Do not refer to it or mention it in anyway. As someone said before, give them one warning. "Disperse from my property and leave me in peace. This is your one and only warning. Any resistance or delay will result in the police being called to deal with your disturbance of the public peace." Go back inside and watch their antics on your video security system. If they're all gone in 3 minutes, call it even. If they're not gone in 180 seconds, follow through and call the cops. Do not open the door again until it is an officer. Answer the door with the same open carry rig, because you know the idjits will claim you threatened them with it. Let the cop see (but not disarm you) what they saw.