Normally I'm not armed when I answer the door,but situationally I am.
I lived,for a while,in a high drama neighborhood.Apparently I was unusual because I paid my phone bill.Domestic violence issues would sometimes result in frantic banging on my front door ,sometimes 2 or 3 AM.Upset women,he has a knife,etc.
I say,There is the phone,call 911.
She asks,What is that (shotgun) for? I answer,You said he had a knife.If he comes through my front door I'm going to kill him.She looks at me like I don't know how to play Jerry Springer show just right.
Other neighbors,"Dad's beating up mom"
I answer,"there is the phone",drop a speed loader in the S+W.Again,the question"Whats that for?" I answer"Domestic violence is dangerous"
I do not believe in playing hero,but in this case,she was a small 50 something woman and he was an over 6 ft strong guy.This may have been a life and death ,seconds count,police only minutes away deal.I took the risk to put one eyeball around their doorjamb.The situation was not critical,I retreated.I went home, fill my Win 97 with #4 buck ,have it beside me on the couch.
Its 11+ PM,another knock.S+W in the back of my pants,I look to see who it is through the glass panel,high on the door.Its an LEO.I put both hands on the glass,tell him about the handgun and shotgun,ask "What do you want me to do"He says "No problem,have some questions about your neighbor"
This was years ago,I moved,and I'm sure I wasn't tactically correct,seemed right at the time.