fear.

but I wonder what I would do. Of course I'd be polite, but I would not want to talk with them nor have them 'knowing" anything about me that might have them targeting me in the future.

Obviously, this is 180 degrees from your example, which is horrendous, but it got me thinking about what I would do if obvious Trumpsters came to my door. I never used to worry about this kind of thing, but those people are nuts and often malicious and not infrequently violent.

Still, I hate to think I can't open my door to others, even the LDS and & 7th Day adventists, who, though polite, tend to drive me nuts.

On their second visit I reinforced this by taking "photos" of them and their vehicle with my empty camera. I've not been bothered since. There was also group of zealots who came every Sunday to invite me to church. I worked rotating shifts and often was recovering from a 7 pm to 7 am shift with one coming that night. They just kept knocking, even going around to knock on my bedroom window. They would not take no for an answer. I finally got the police involved.

I commute a considerable distance 1-2x/weekly and can't afford to come outside and see my tires slashed (as has happened recently in a couple of Denver neighborhoods)

Sort of like sucking it up driving I-25. There are too many aggressive and violent jerks out there.

by the JW's. When they came to my door I asked them to show me their drivers License so I could come to their hoe and present my religious beliefs to them. The response was "It doesn't work that way." MY respon was "well, it doesn't work this way."

"Sick, may be contagious. Sorry. Stay healthy!"

To handle *all* random solicitors I don't recognize/don't want to deal with.

It works whether it's salespeople, religious organizations, or political people. Started doing it when I worked nights. I looked convincingly pathetic. It may no longer be as convincing without obvious bedhead, but it solves the problem.

I figure it's a little white lie that doesn't hurt anybody's feelings. And saves me aggravation.

Maybe your niece should campaign with another person? Hate to think of going around here by myself door to door.

The more we front these freaks out the better, this nut needs a good speaking to by the local constable

Don't let someone push you around.

Many states have a castle doctrine rule, that permits a homeowner to kill to defend his castle. Being pepper sprayed by someone who knocked at his door might be sufficient justustification.

And, if a Trump supporter showed up at my house, then pepper sprayed me because I was justifiably angry at the invasion of the sanctity of my home, I'd be plenty pissed.

... castle doctrine doesn't apply.

She could have sprayed anytime she was off the property if they were following her.

Edit to add: Sadly I know too much about this because of researching my instinct to stand in front of a gun pointed at me and tell him to put it down, rather than let the drunk holding it go outside with it. The drunk's wife was my mother so I didn't want her to have to bail him out of jail, we'd just gotten done burying my grandmother and Mom didn't need the aggravation of her husband catching an aggravated assault collar, which one does even in Arkansas if they leave the house to wave a gun around at someone.

I certainly don't advocate violence. Just self defense.

The idea from the first poster seemed obviously to be that if someone left their home to follow and harass a door-knocker, that pepper spray would be in order.

Ms. Toad suggested it'd be a good way to get shot, and seemed to be saying it'd be a legal shoot, picturing a door-knocker pepper-spraying someone still standing in their own home for getting irate.

It helps if you read the posts before the one you're replying to for context, as we get rapidly off topic from the original story easily around here.

I used a portable boat horn on a persistent AT&T "sales" person. .He just would not leave and would not stop talking. When I closed the door he kept ringing the bell and knocking. BLASTED him right in the face... never came back..
m

be safe folks

She should have a driver, and another person to walk up to the houses with her, preferably a precinct committee person. She should try first to contact the Democrats in her district, and the independents. Maybe she could leave literature with the others, unless they are outside or visible.

I have never had that happen to me. I know the police chief well here. If I ran into any trouble or hostility, I would call him to let him know I was canvassing with a candidate.

Or another family member or chaperone? If someone did that to my daughter,
I'd lose it.

and maybe the person's employer will see it. No legal action needed at all. Let them all lose their jobs for their behavior.

Don't take the bait. Don't "fight fire with fire" and respond in anger.

Fight fire with water---pause while getting a phone switched to RECORD, and then walk away without a word. (Unless, of course, assaulted physically. Then run)

"Taking one for the team" and getting a disturbing video of a ranting Trump supporter is a bigger victory than a moment of retaliatory anger at a right-wing nut-job.

Becoming a shouting orangutan like the resident is the least-effective option for the entire team.

Thank DJT - he brings this out in people because they are all crazy!! We must not let our anger out in unhealthy ways. We are the party of reasonable people.

We are generally well received and some are relieved to have a "safe haven" to vent their frustrations.

Canvassing for Tim Kaine.

The address was on the list but I Saw the Romney Allen signs in his yard so I just kept walking. He kept spewing BS at me and I just walked and said "Okay".

The day after the election I bought a copy of the New York Times and Richmond Times Dispatch and left them on his front porch.