# A foot in YOUR door. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740 "2019-01-14T16:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/41 "2019-01-16T15:43:42Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Also public exposure and possibly lewd and lascivious as well --------- but its worth considering. šŸ˜‰ Ianal but think in many jurisdictions, as long as you are inside your house, you can goatse to your heartā€™s content without violating such laws. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/42 "2019-01-16T16:01:39Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > Ianal but think in many jurisdictions, as long as you are inside your house, you can goatse to your heartā€™s content without violating such laws. I did not anticipate that word coming up in this discussion. At all. Is that a verb these days? ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/43 "2019-01-16T16:02:51Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > Ianal but think in many jurisdictions, as long as you are inside your house, you can goatse to your heartā€™s content without violating such laws. Someone in PA tried that argument a couple years back and as I understand it YMMV. I believe in some cases intent comes into play as well as context. Walk through your livingroom to get the paper and no harm/no foul. Stand full-frontal in a picture window across from the school bus stop and you are going to have issues. If you are standing basically at the door peeing on someone ā€“ and the wrong DA gets the case ā€“ I could see him/her shotgun charging just to see what (ahem) stuck out. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/44 "2019-01-16T16:13:16Z")
> [@Littleman](#): > > Idk really, but I know most of the time police apply what laws they can in a common sense kind of way and tend to heavily favor the person whoā€™s home it is. Cops/DA hereabouts will definitely ā€œapply what laws they canā€ with no regard for the rest of your quote. In fact in my experience they protect known pedophiles from big mouthed 4th graders. Once someone becomes an unwelcome and disruptive intruder all bets are off. If they end up becoming a corpse, weā€™ll deal with it on our own. We have dogs, a fireplace, and lots of extra paint. But I am NOT calling the cops. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/45 "2019-01-16T16:41:26Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Itā€™s all relativeā€¦ Actually, if itā€™s all relatives then shoot on sight. Otherwise theyā€™ll overstay their welcome and eat you out of house and home. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/46 "2019-01-16T17:57:02Z")
I think the real answer is YMMV depending on location. In some areas Iā€™ve lived in you could do whatever you wanted at that point and say, ā€œI was afraid for my life.ā€ and that would be the end of it. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/47 "2019-01-16T18:56:58Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Cops/DA hereabouts will definitely ā€œapply what laws they canā€ with no regard for the rest of your quote. In fact in my experience they protect known pedophiles from big mouthed 4th graders. Once someone becomes an unwelcome and disruptive intruder all bets are off. If they end up becoming a corpse, weā€™ll deal with it on our own. We have dogs, a fireplace, and lots of extra paint. But I am NOT calling the cops. This approach probably works best if your door isnā€™t in clear view (or hearing) of human observers. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/48 "2019-01-16T19:10:16Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I think the real answer is YMMV depending on location. In some areas Iā€™ve lived in you could do whatever you wanted at that point and say, ā€œI was afraid for my life.ā€ and that would be the end of it. Here in Utah this is the law that would apply: > [@](#): > > \*\*76-2-405. Force in defense of habitation. \*\* > (1) A person is justified in using force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the otherā€™s unlawful entry into or attack upon his habitation; however, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury only if: > (a) the entry is made or attempted in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously, or by stealth, and he reasonably believes that the entry is attempted or made for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person, dwelling, or being in the habitation and he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent the assault or offer of personal violence; or > (b) he reasonably believes that the entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony in the habitation and that the force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony. > (2) The person using force or deadly force in defense of habitation is presumed for the purpose of both civil and criminal cases to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury if the entry or attempted entry is unlawful and is made or attempted by use of force, or in a violent and tumultuous manner, or surreptitiously or by stealth, or for the purpose of committing a felony. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/49 "2019-01-16T19:34:30Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > > [@76-2-405. Force in defense of habitation.](#): > > > > ā€¦(a) ā€¦and he reasonably believes that the entry is attempted or made for the purpose of ā€¦offering personal violence to any personā€¦ ā€œGood afternoon sir! Can I interest you in some personal violence today?ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/50 "2019-01-16T19:36:24Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > ā€œGood afternoon sir! Can I interest you in some personal violence today?ā€ Donā€™t let him in! Heā€™s an [encyclopedia salesman](https://youtu.be/R9n11xtjZ3Y?t=5)! ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/51 "2019-01-16T20:14:46Z")
I donā€™t usually answer the door armed unless Iā€™ve gotten word that there has been a prison escape. About once every few years. Usually a walk-off from a work crew. I do have a well made umbrella by the front door that Iā€™m pretty sure will penetrate most shoes and the enclosed foot. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/52 "2019-01-17T01:50:02Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Would peeing on the foot be reasonable force? > > Most of those chains can be ripped from the door jamb with one good shove. I would not feel at all safe if someone was pushing to get in. Just putting their foot there and arguing might feel less threatening. My abusive ex did pop the chain on our door to get to me ā€¦ you are right, it is easy to do. what I would do now, personally [not recommending anything to anybody] - Step back 2 paces, draw my daily carry sidearm, aim it at them and give them a count of 3 to remove their foot and leave my property. At the count of 3, I shoot their foot. Look, I am handicapped, I have absolutely no expectation of either escape or evasion, or physical self defense. One would assume that if someone is trying to force their way in, they do not have the plan of redecorating and perhaps reupholstering my sofa in Laura Ashley chinz ā€¦ [yuck] and as any attempt to break in does in fact make me fear for my continued health, I will defend myself with my best option. There is something like a stated 45 minute response time to our farm, so all the cops would be able to do is string out the barrier tape and call in CSI. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/53 "2019-01-17T03:17:59Z")
I would invite the individual to contemplate just how much they value a foot that is free from knife wounds. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/54 "2019-01-17T15:32:30Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Donā€™t let him in! Heā€™s an [encyclopedia salesman](https://youtu.be/R9n11xtjZ3Y?t=5)! Could have been worse. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Sp-pU8TFsg0/hqdefault.jpg "Monty Python - The Meaning of Life Live Organ Transplants") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp-pU8TFsg0) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/55 "2019-01-17T19:13:47Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > To answer your question Beckdawrek, yes. It has become a chronic problem in my area, with hyperaggressive salesmen employing the following: > > -Continuous knocking on door to eventually cause homeowner to open. > -Two big guys (literally) rush the homeowner intimidating them backwards into the house > -Extremely aggressive pushing of some random overpriced cleaning materials > -Refusing to leave until a purchase is made. [breaking and entering](https://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=98) > [@](#): > > n. 1) the criminal act of entering a residence or other enclosed property through the slightest amount of force (even pushing open a door), without authorization. Sounds like this easily qualifies. Whether or not the police are willing to charge these guys the first few times they hear about it, Iā€™d think that if enough homeowners called 911 on them, the cops would eventually charge them because they were fed up with having to come out to deal with these bozos. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740/56 "2019-01-17T19:21:36Z")
Responding to the OPā€™s scenario, within easy reach of our front door is a heavy metal-and-ceramic key rack. I grab it off the wall and bring one corner down hard on the offending foot. Repeat until foot is removed from door, then close door and flip the deadbolt. Then track down my phone (probably **not** within easy reach, or Iā€™d have done that first) and call 911. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-foot-in-your-door/827740.md?page=2)