I retired LEO, and I told my neighbors if they get a knock on the door at an odd time like this, I.e. late, dark out, etc, call one of us across the street who can see your door and look out, see who might be at my door, I will do the same for you. Watch over one another this way.

As a former cop, never let the police into your house without a warrant. Don't answer questions and let them spit out their speil outside with the moths.

This guy needs to make some auditions. He has a voice that I am sure could be in demand for use in film or tv.

Very sound advice. I tell my wife to never answer the door no matter what time it is, unless she is expecting someone. And even then, check the camera. I like how you covered an impersonating officer because that’s been happening more frequently too.

"What the hell are you doing answering the door at 3 am for?" All that needs to be said lol

Do not ever, under any circumstance, agree for the police to enter your home or search your car without a warrant.

I hate it when people criticize massad, he is a genius, I have been watching his videos from years and have learned tons from him

Most sane advice on defense ever viewed without all the gun nuttery we see on You Tube. Thanks for your calm demeanor and explanation.

For those who have a two story house where the front door is not recessed, answer from a second story window or balcony, tip from crime ridden Venezuela.

security camera takes the guess work out of it. cheaper than a lawyer.

I can only imagine how many lives this video may save. I had a 2am knock at the down. I went to the door with a Glock behind me. I called to the person outside to identify themselves. It was an innocent mistake by a person knocking on the wrong door. We spoke and the friendly conversation solved the confusion. Thank you so much for your very informative videos. God bless.

Tremendous instruction on handling that unexpected early morning knock. Always confirm that it is the police with your local 9-1-1 center before opening the door. There are far too many bad guys posing as police to take advantage of trusting citizens. Great counsel. Keep up the informative videos.

As a former police officer myself, I really like this guy's advice. I was patrolling at 4 AM and saw a little 5 year-old girl walking down the sidewalk of a city street (she had decided to visit her grandmother in the middle of the night - kids do weird stuff). We got her to show us her house and you can imagine the surprise on the parent's faces when they saw her with us. The father told us he got his pistol when he heard us knocking but put it away when he saw our patrol cars outside. Always check outside for a police car before opening the door.

When I was 14 my friend’s dad answered the door at 3 am and was beat to death by two 21 year olds that were high and claimed to be broken down.

I am a certified instructor and I include these wisdom's to my students. Thank you.

When my daughter passes in a house fire not even one officer came to tell us. The sux are in heaven never forgotten. I thank you for everyone of your posts, its to bad leaders can't understand what your doing. Thanks

Actually had a situation like this about 40 years ago. A young girl knocked on our door claiming she had had an accident and wanted to call her sister. Since we were three blocks from the main road, I told her I would call the police for her. She left. I called the police and explained the situation. They were at our door with lights flashing five minutes later. The officers told us they saw no accident, nor did they see anyone on the street!

This dude’s voice is smoother than velvet dipped in clean motor oil. Huge 1950’s narrator energy.

Mas You are The king of Gun knowledge I love you so much keep up the fantastic work please

I always learn something vital that I wish I'd already known each time I see aa lesson from Mas Ayoob. He is a national treasure to us gun & freedom folks.

Great advice as always. My wife and kids tend to think I'm "paranoid" when I talk to them about plans for scenarios like this, but there is a big difference between paranoid and preparedness.

I had just moved out for the first time on my own and in a rather poor end of the neighborhood. Within the first week of living their I was witnessing multiple drug deals, people fighting in the street, shit being thrown at my house.... That next week I went out and purchased a ruger ar556, a cheap sig Romeo 5 red dot. I told my father about what all had been happening. He had already tried giving me a shotgun and a revolver but I told him that I picked up an AR. After talking a bit about it he said, "you got a weapons light with mount for it right"? I said no, I spent everything on the red dot and backup sights. The very next day he swung by to help me finish up some duct work and gave me his streamlight tlr 1 from one of his glocks and taught me how to change the key mount on it to go from pistol to picatinny rail. This is the part of the story that seems the most made up.... Litteraly that night at around 2am I had a break in. To get to the door you had to go up an old rickety set of wood steps that had very distinguishable sound to them. You could plainly tell if someone was playing on the steps or going up and down them all the way into the bedroom. I had just turned off my TV for bed and was right at the point of falling asleep when I heard my steps but I thought maybe I was hearing things. Luckily it was enough to break me out of a sleepy daze and then I heard a very light "tap tap tap" on the glass near my door, almost as if someone would do on the opposite side of a window to try and get your attention. This put me in full panic mode because I knew no family member or police officer would EVER knock on my door like that at 2am. I was still laying in bed listening, shaking like a leaf hoping whatever it was would go away.... I was young, dumb and inexperienced. It went silent for a good 20 seconds and then I started hearing the doorknob jostling around. I'll never forget the feeling of absolute fear, almost to a point of being froze solid but I gathered the strength to get the fuck out of bed and get to my gun. I didn't have a cell phone of any kind and the house phone was at a point where whoever was at the door would see me cross to go get it and I was too scared to make a dash for the phone. From my bedroom door it was a straight shot to the front door. I opened my door far enough to get a good sight of the front door in my pitch black room, laid down in the prone position and readied my rifle right on the door. In my head I was trying to play out all these different scenarios of what to do, how to do it, at what point am I justified in pulling the trigger.... In mid panicked thought the glass broke, and immediately an arm reached through the glass trying to undo my top lock. The second they got the door unlocked I turned on the little weapon light, screamed some wild talk that to this day I can't remember exactly what I said but had something to do with blowing heads apart and thank GOD that was all it took. They took off so fast that it sounded like they fell down my damn stairs and was out of there. It took me a good bit to muster the strength to clear the area and make it to the phone for the police. That little light was an absolute cannon and I still believe it was destined from God that my father gave me that light earlier that day and I'm convinced the light alone saved me from a whole heap of trouble because if my screaming alone couldn't keep someone from coming in I know I would have shot.... Kind of an anticlimactic ending to a long drawn out story but that's all I got lol.... I'll be telling my grandchildrens children that story someday.

This guy is a rockstar in my book.

Situational awareness and a game plan is critical.

This is a rare man in the age we're living in now. 5 seconds into looking at this video I was hanging on every word said. Thank you Sir.

As a homeowner living in a "first ring" suburb of a major city, I don't ever answer my door after dinner time, let alone 3am...

Excellent advice. Thank you Massad and Wilson Combat!

The idea about dialing 911 and asking if there are any Law Enforcement officers dispatched to your address is a great idea!

LEO at the door at 3am - what do you do? 1. Do I hear them saying they are Police? Are they saying they have a warrant? ..... I might answer: "Stick the warrant under the door so I can read it, I will comply." 2. I hear nothing but banging on my door. ... I can wait till they break in; I'm in no hurry. I've had an exciting life so far, why stop now?

Jeez. One time I noticed someone shining a flashlight into my jeep outside my window... I opened the door with a shotgun propped against the wall beside me and was so happy I did NOT open the door with the shotgun in my hands because it was a couple of police officers looking for a suspect.

I've been reading, watching, and listening to Massad Ayoob's practical, sensible firearms teachings for over three decades - His low-key no B S demeanor does well to convey the lesson on hand.

Thank you for putting this out there. Glad to have someone point out something I had not considered in the past.

About 50 years ago I was driving at night out in the country and there was a car crashes into a concrete side of a narrow bridge. It blocked the road so I could not pass. A young girl was behind the wheel And her side passenger was a 40 yr old man who hadn't been wearing a seatbelt was cut to ribbons bleeding profusely. So I drove back to the nearest farmhouse to get the owners to phone for the police and an ambulance. The farmer and his wife were alarmed by the knocking that wouldn't stop. So the farmer yelled to go away because he had the police on the phone. So I said, "good and tell them to send an ambulance to, there's been a wreck up the road and a man is bleeding to death". Good thing he didn't shoot first and ask questions later

When I became a cop in the early 70's you were a firearms legend. Glad to see you around and still so.

wow, i was not expecting level-headed and logical advice in this day and age. thank you sir.

GREAT ADVICE!!! To be completely candid, I had never really thought about it like that!! THANX!!!!!!!!!!

I live in a pretty average middle class neighborhood. I was sitting in my armchair one evening at around 11:00 at night, and yes it was fully dark out. Someone knocked on my front screen door, I didn't move, just listened. Then they opened my screen door and knocked on the main front door. Still, I didn't move, just listened. Then I heard them grab the main door knob, turn it back and forth and tried to open my front door! THAT MADE MY BLOOD TURN COLD. I quietly got up, tried not to make a shadow on the front window, and retrieved a loaded 10mm Glock, and waited to see what happened next. Who ever it was left...and that was a very good thing....for them.

“In the dark night of the soul, it is always three o’clock in the morning.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald

Logical, smart advice. Thank you Mr. Ayoob.

Thank you Massad Ayoob and Wilson Combat. You are an asset to the gun community.

I don't answer my door at all, unless I'm expecting someone. I have surveillance cameras, and a pitbull that bites and rarely barks. But criminals are now dressing up as fedex, ups, or pizza guys to do home invasions. It happened a few towns over from me a few months ago. Dudes dressed as fed-ex workers forced the way into the house and pistol whipped the homeowners. It's best to leave that door closed anytime of the day.

I had to get to an early morning meeting and while on interstate 95 about 2 a.m. I see 2 cars in the medium then and older lady flagging me down. She while shaking got in my car. There are 2 men beating up her husband. I grab my pistol and walk over to a car and lean on it with the pistol in the up position. They stop the ruffing up of the man. About 30 minutes go by and a police car shows up. Then another. I told the officers I needed to make the appointment . They took my name and I was free to go. The whole purpose of writing this is to highlight the one thing that stood out to me. I put myself in harm's way for this elderly couple. Neither the woman or the man having opportunity to do so ever came to me and said anything close to a THANK YOU!

I enjoy your common sense videos. Right before dark everything is locked. Windows are covered. My Mastiff is on one side. My H&K on the other side. We’ve sat here and heard someone lift the storm door latch multiple times. We pretty much assess situations together. But we don’t open the door.

Very good advice. I always wondered what an expert would say to that question. Great to hear your response. Thank you!

I had this exact thing happen to me several months ago at 1:00 AM. Grabbed my pistol, called the police to ask if they were at my door. They said they were not, but would send a unit out. I sat on the other side of the door waiting for the police. They showed up and found out the guy was drunk and looking for a girl he met on Tinder haha

I live very rural (about a mile to my nearest neighbor) and a 3AM knock at the door has happened several times. Some kids screwing around and got their vehicle stuck. Once when my nearest neighbor's house caught fire. And once when a hunter, not from these parts, got lost and ended up at my house. I approach the door with my handgun, waist level and slightly behind my backside so it's not visible. I leave the lights off inside and turn the porch light beside the door on. Essentially, they're looking in a mirror at that point which gives me enough time to assess the situation. At that point, if it's a stranger and there's no immediate danger, we can talk through the door. Fortunately, that's rare here but with the meth, fentanyl, etc...you can't even trust some of the locals any longer.

Sir, what timely information, especially in the times we live in! Thank you. Mr. Hop...

Great advice about sharing your thoughts with others in the family.

Great deal of respect for Massad. Just want to add two thoughts to that. TURN ON THE PORCH LIGHT! LOOK OUT THE DAMN WINDOW BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR!

1 correction: Never let the police in your house without a warrant!!

I've read this guy for years. This is first time I have watched and listened to him. He is the truth.

I love all your videos. We're all lucky to have you share this valuable info with us. Thank you.

About 30 years ago, when I was about 21 years old, I had moved back in with my parents temporarily. They lived in a nice neighborhood, but the lots were big and the homes were somewhat far apart. We got that knock on the door about 4am. More of a pounding on the door than a knock. I had just recently gotten my first gun, a 357 magnum revolver. I grabbed my gun and went to the side of the front door. But I sure as hell didn't open the door. I asked who it was and the guy said he was the newspaper delivery guy and that his car had broken down and needed to use my phone (since this was well before cell phones). The gun was in my hand pointed at the ground the whole time I was talking to him through the door. I told him I would call someone for him and did just that. I called and it seemed like his story was legit. After I called he thanked me and walked away, presumably to go to his car and wait for his buddy that I called to pick him up. But I never let him in and I didn't go back to bed. For all I know, that call could have been a set up to let my guard down. I think I handled that situation about right.

As a LEO, one of the worst duties I can think of is delivering a death message in the middle of the night. It's just terrible.

Excellent video, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, God Bless

Sensible advice, thank you kindly.

Mr. Ayoob is a living legend. I remember reading his editorials back in the 70’s.

I am old enough to remember when people didn’t even lock their door and if someone was knocking in the late hours you woke up knowing someone was hurt or worse. I miss those times.

Thank you, your advice is a huge eye-opener

As always... Great advice! Thanks!

I worked rotating shifts for years while living on a main road through a rural area. When adjusting to a night shift schedule, I would always stay up the night before watching old movies and paining miniatures. One night, about 2:45AM, I heard a knock. Caught me completely off guard. I jumped up, grabbed my holster and tucked it in, then cracked the door without opening the chain. Saw a well dressed young man that seemed entirely out of place. Asked if I could help him, and he said he was on his way home from a party and ran out of gas about half a mile down. He'd started walking, and saw my lights were on, and asked if I could spare some gas. I told him to wait outside while I got some shoes. Turns out, he was exactly what he said he was. On his way home from a party in one town, in an unfamiliar area, still 45 minutes from his hometown. I grabbed a can with two gallons of gas and had him jump in the back of my truck while we drove to his car and gave him enough to get to the local 24/7 station another few miles up the road. He offered me a $20 bill, and I told him to just "pay it forward." I don't think he ever suspected that I was armed and keeping alert for things to turn south the entire time, but I also can't imagine what it would have done to him had I opened the door barrel first when he was in genuine need. Likewise, I can only imagine that he'd have ended up walking another six miles before reaching the station, and still needing something to carry gas in. Sometimes that knock is a genuine plea for help, and while protecting ourselves and loved ones is our first priority, we also need to remember to be compassionate.

As a 35 yr police vet very good sound advice, as I performed numerous 3 am knocks for death notifications and everything else. I always put some minor light bar lights on my cruiser to let them know I am law enforcement to calm them a little.

Thanks Mas! Always love your input.

He has Golden Voice.

I heard loud banging on my door at 2:00 a.m. last weekend. I looked through the window and saw my living room furniture. I didn't see anyone so I went to sleep. Woke up outside with a massive hangover and locked myself out somehow.

You were my police department's weapons instructor a long time ago. I learned a lot from you. You always provide good sensible advice without any fluff. Like this video. Thank you.

There are some scenarios I hadn't considered before. Wonderful work. Thank you.

I find these videos all carry one constant quality, they are reasonable. Common sense is the foundation of all appropriate actions. This I appreciate.

You won't have to worry if it's the Uvalde PD, they won't try to come in for over an hour...

Nearly this exact scenario happened to me. The person at the door was a Deputy Sherriff, asking me if I owned the two donkeys running loose on my street. He and others HELPED me get them back in their pasture, and listed my name/phone-number in their livestock directory, making it easier for both of us should it happen again. They have my greatest appreciation.

quite useful advice. Definitely important to establish who is on the other side of that door before opening.

Thank you thank you thank you 1 million times someone finally said it, I don’t even answer my door during the day if I’m not expecting company, Curiosity killed the cat …why would you answer your door… I think it’s the same reason people answer the cell phone when they’re not expecting a call, I promise you no one is gona be standing at your door with a briefcase full of money.

Mas Ayoob is a national treasure.

I hadn't thought to call 911 first to confirm that there are officers in my area. Great advice as always. I've hesitated getting a Ring for a while, but have one now and it's a game changer in these situations.

What a pleasure to listen to common sense and straight talk! Here in Spain it's a different scenario, but nonetheless it's interesting to listen to your videos.

Thank you so much for making this video! ❤

I had an incident the other day which somewhat relates so I will share it. At three in the afternoon not three in the morning two men came knocking on my door for help. I grabbed my firearm yes grabbed not went and got. The two men were both injured but not from a car accident as they claimed. You didn't have to be a retired Leo to figure it out. They both had meth/ Crack faces and there wounds were from fighting each other or some other persons. They kept saying we need to come in not call someone for us. I told them I will call you someone to help you but your not coming in. They both started getting irate and I believe would have done something different but I produced the weapon I was slightly concealing and they left my property. I called the sheriff's office and they were picked up for the burglary they had committed while they were messed up badly on drugs. The injuries they sustained were from that. They had went to my neighbors house but his pit bull scared them away. What can we take from this. First I didn't retrieve my weapon I grabbed it. It didn't matter it was daylight it was close. My neighbor was not prepared to be confronted by these men and was probably saved by his dog. You have to willing and able to create your own safe environment no one is going to do it for you.

Love this guy, complete opposite of what the “tacticool community” thinks you’re supposed to be. He is super realistic in his mindset and it’s a refreshing outlook in a community that thinks a Glock 19 and CrossFit gym membership turns you into an operator.

Greetings from Slovakia. I really enjoy this channel.

Thanks for your great sensible advice. It's always best to try and avoid violence.

I actually had this happen to me once a few years ago, but long story short I had someone banging on the door at 2:30 am. I grabbed my gun and went to the door and I crouched down (thinking if they shoot they won’t shoot me) and I asked who it was, the guy on the other side seemed really panicked and scared and said he was robbed at gun point at the car wash directly behind my house. I then called 911 and told the guy to stand directly at the porch and do not move, I then slowly opened the door and saw he was all bloody (he ran so fast away from the person that he ran out of his shoes and fell to the ground) i then handed the gun to my wife and told her to cover me while I talk to him. He told me he was leaving town on a trip and wanted to clean out his car and the car wash was 24hrs, he then had some guy come up to him and jack his wallet and such, as soon as the guy that was robbing him turned his head he ran off. Nobody else opened the door for them, but I felt secure in my capabilities and my wife’s and I had her cover me while I called 911 and helped the person out. I guess it’s all circumstantial. But I feel like I did the right thing.

"What the hell are you doing opening the door at 3am"...my thoughts exactly. Police or Thug...no entry zone after 10pm.

Thank you for making great informational videos. I'm learing and understanding a lot🙌

I respect you a lot for doing what you do, thank you.

I was having a party and walked to my next door neighbors house at like 9:30 at night to see if he wanted to come over. We live in a pretty secluded area and he took a while to get to the door. Peeked out the side window, and then came out. He apologized for taking so long but it is quite unusual to have anyone at our doors after dark. I said, surprised you did not come out armed. He simply did a 1/2 turn and sure enough, he was. We both chuckled and he declined my invite and we both returned inside.

Another overlooked item is a security door. Almost everyone has a screen door or similar but a proper security door gives you a pull door and your main door is a push. It also allows you to open your main door and still have a door between you and the person.

You are just the greatest person ever

Most calm, common sense video I’ve seen in quite some time. Very refreshing. I believe this nations, police and sheriffs departments have become militarized beyond the point of even being approachable as a “civilian” as they like to call us, (even though they are civilians). Common sense questions and common sense approach is all that’s required. Even in small country towns where , more often than not, local law enforcement is most likely related to someone that’s out to do you harm..

I’ve always told my family under no circumstances do they ever open the door for anyone, even the police. unless they were invited.

Massad Ayoob is most definitely "a Legend in his own time!" One of the very best expert in firearms training since 1974!

Always great advice, thanks for the important lesson.

Awesome advice and reminder, thank you Sir.

I was at work on graveyard shift when my wife called me in a panic. She said at 2:30am someone was pounding on the door. She was hesitant to open the door, but the guy was yelling "Police! Is anyone home?!" She decided to open the door, and luckily it really was a police officer yelling "You need to get out of the house right now!" She saw over the cops shoulder the neighbors house was completely on fire, and the fire department was trying to keep it from spreading to my house.

This actually happened to me. Knocked on the front door for probably a half an hour before my wife woke me up. Dude wasn't right in the head. He was cold. I didn't open the door, and didn't grab a gun. I called the police. They talked to him for a couple of minutes, then took him somewhere. I didn't want him hurt. I also didn't want to deal with him.

Don't escalate a situation when it isn't justified. Most times it's very easy to tell who the police are. This was a great video.

You sir are a great teacher

THANK YOU, this was (as always) a lucid, relevant, clearly articulated and VALUABLE presentation.

Doorbell camera and dogs answer the door while I am in the other room with backup. My cat will also welcome whoever is knocking, weird cat.

Still so relevant. Show this everywhere

Excellent and logical presentation. Thank you!