if you can see them, and don't know who they are/look creepy, you should have the Beretta in your hand BEFORE you answer the door...I have noticed an increase in creepy people coming to our front door asking for work and something to drink/eat. Not nice people, but really threatening looking people. Fortunately, my Mossberg pump, Beretta 9mm, Colt 1911, Colt AR 15, Henry 30/30 Repeater, and a few more are always close at hand.
And you answer the door??? I just have a speaker that starts a recorded count down when the doorbell rings from 12, 11, 10 .......... ;-)
if you can see them, and don't know who they are/look creepy, you should have the Beretta in your hand BEFORE you answer the door...Creepy-looking people actually knock on your door saying they’ll work for food? How frequently is it happening? That’s crazy and scary. Where approximately do you live?
Instead of being nearby I keep my carry pistol on me even at home. I work inside and out while carrying a pistol. My neighbors have become used to it, as they should, and when I answer the door it gives notice that whomever comes to my home had better be respectful.
When I politely say "no" to someone hawking their wares or services I always get a polite "thank you" and never get any extra sales pitch or conversation.