[Maverick68]

Any knocks on my door after 9:00 PM usually sees me answering with my pistol in hand, out of view of whoever is on the front porch.

[Gen.Blather]

“Any knocks on my door after 9:00 PM usually sees me answering with my pistol in hand, out of view of whoever is on the front porch.”

You betcha. And, depending on what has recently happened to the man, it might take several seconds to process the uniform. I tend to focus on hands and eyes. In those first seconds they could be naked and I wouldn’t know.

[ThunderSleeps]

That's what I do - loaded pistol in hand, out of sight *every* time I answer the door. If there is no threat, I tuck in in my back pocket or set it on the table just inside the door and step out.

I have purchased Girl Scout cookies with a 9mm in my back pocket, refused magazine subscriptions, declined roof inspections, even had a nice chat with a Sheriff's deputy who was looking into a break-in next door.

There have been several shady people selling magazines or coupon books or cleaning products that set off some alarm bells. Then the gun stayed in my hand, and the hand out of sight. You can always tell when the meaning of that dawns on them. Their sales patter ends abruptly and they make a hasty exit. ;-)

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

EXACTLY!
If my doorbell rings after dark, my 1911 is in my right hand, secured behind my back with...
...chambered round and the safety off.

Keep in mind that ^anyone^ can go to a military-outlet-store or uniform provider and obtain clothing that resembles a police-officer uniform or simply enough “official-looking” layers to deceive.