My wife reported to me that a salesman was going door to door in the area. When he rang the bell after ignoring the “no soliciting” and “no trespassing” signs, she saw him on the doorbell camera and didn’t answer.
A neighbor reported to us that they did open the door for him, but once they heard him pitching to them, they told him they weren’t interested and asked him to leave. Instead, he stayed and argued with them.
I’m not sure how I would deal with this, because so much depends on his actions and attitude. However, there is a good chance that he will be proned out at gunpoint when the cops arrive. Why? Because ignoring the sign and ignoring my instructions to leave are called trespass after warning. You can use non deadly force against trespassers. Pointing a firearm at someone is, by law in Florida, NOT deadly force, as long as you don’t tell them you will shoot, kill, or injure them. Something like “let me see your hands, get on the ground.”
Whether or not he would be encouraged to prone out with high velocity objects would depend on his actions.
13 Comments
SoCoRuss · June 4, 2025 at 2:26 pm
He might not have been a real salesman. We have seen incidents local where the alledged salesman keeps you busy while accomplise breaking in the back to rob you.
Steve · June 4, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Door to door salesmen are so rare in our area it’s assumed that a door to door salesman is actually casing the home, with “sales” being his cover. I wonder about the salesman that got into your neighbor’s home but given he argued with them, it might be sales vs something worse.
Reefdiver52 · June 4, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Your potential response is exactly right!! Sadly, where I live in the grand commie captured sanctuary state of CT I would need to jump out my rear window if anyone threaten me.
Duty to retreat, not defeat the threat.
So sad that the punks get more consideration than a citizen where I live.
Not right…
Divemedic · June 5, 2025 at 6:51 am
They aren’t home invaders, they are undocumented tenants.
Johnny Rebel · June 4, 2025 at 8:12 pm
Some banjolip mooncrickets approached with their probably stolen candy bars box and we have two left, I said it was all spent at the CCP dollar store on drinks even though I had some in the wallet.
They can go to the government for a free sugartit.
Robert · June 4, 2025 at 10:15 pm
It could be a fatal mistake to be visibly armed when police arrive to the scene. Check the case of John Hurley for an example. I would not try to hold someone at gunpoint for any reason.
I would instruct the miscreant to walk away slowly with hands in the air. If he complied with that instruction and left, he would be OK. I would call the police afterwards to report a hostile trespasser. That is because the first call to the police is most likely to be assumed truthful. It is quite possible that the miscreant will call the police with a complaint.
Most likely the police would do nothing. That would be fine too. The point of the call is to pre-empt a potential complaint from the miscreant alleging armed assault.
Should events go in another direction, my first call would be to alert my lawyer. My second call would be to 911, requesting a medic and a security team. That drill is: “shots fired, one attacker down, need medical and police assistance, no immediate threats”. I would give my name and address. That’s all.
After that it is time to put weapons out of sight, remain silent, and wait for the responses from authorities.
oldvet50 · June 5, 2025 at 6:02 am
Although you are technically correct, the repurcussions depend solely on the political makeup of your individual community (city, county). IOW, if your local sheriff is a liberal, you’re screwed.
WDS · June 5, 2025 at 11:34 am
“No Trespassing” & “No Soliciting” are akin to locks, only for honest people.
I’ve had people, who have zero business with me get out of their vehicle, open the driveway gate and drive up to the house. The 300′ wireless driveway alarm lets me know I have about 30 seconds before they’re in the front yard and it is tremendous asset living out in this rural area of the county, especially at night.
Divemedic · June 5, 2025 at 2:47 pm
That’s why my sign is backed up with an armed asshole who doesn’t like it when he is disturbed by people who choose to ignore the sign.
I once answered the door to a solicitor. I told him that he must have problems selling since he obviously is too stupid to read.
At the time, I was still single and my girlfriend admonished me for being rude. I told her that it was more rude of him to see that I don’t want him ringing my doorbell after seeing that I am not interested, so I answer in kind.
Don Curton · June 5, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Our neighborhood sees frequent door-to-door salesmen (regardless of signage), generally for switching electric companies, switching internet, or solar panels. Had someone come to the door around 8 pm, started in on his pitch, and I stated loudly that I’m not interested and it’s way too late in the evening for this stuff. He then asked a) if I had any snacks or drinks I could give him since he’d been in the ‘hood all day and his company wasn’t going to come get him anytime soon, and b) could he use my restroom. I advised him that he should quit his job and that there’s a convenience store located less than half a mile from the subdivision.
Apparently shell companies hire various persons to canvas neighborhoods – dropping them off in the morning and picking them up in the evening – in order to sell for whichever parent company is paying them. Half the time the door-knockers can’t even articulate correctly what they’re selling, they just hand a brochure and try to schedule some time for another salesman to meet with us.
I read somewhere that a lot of ex-cons get jobs doing this since there ain’t no background check for that sort of work.
Aesop · June 5, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Guns are a good backstop, but there’s no reason not to use OC spray to gain compliance first.
Court: But why did you use bear spray, Mr. Aesop?
A: I couldn’t find that little can of OC.
Court: And how long did you keep spraying the defendant?
A: Well, the label on the can says it shoots 50′, so I’m going to with about 50’…
LoL No · June 5, 2025 at 5:01 pm
I’ve had good luck with this approach. Let them run their spiel, politely decline and when they persist, smile and ask “Anybody know where you are right now?”. The smile and the pair of GIANT dogs who don’t like guests hasn’t failed me, thus far.
Divemedic · June 5, 2025 at 8:57 pm
LOL. “Are you wearing a bullet proof vest? Is it rated to stop 10mm?”