Real estate poses many dangers. While I read blogs on the art of security, I don't find any that recommend one carry a concealed hand gun. This amazes me. Call me old fashioned but the truth of the matter is that if someone is going to plan an attack on you, chances are they are well versed in overpowering someone. I do not believe keeping a prospect in front of you, a well planned exit or a silly explination about how busy it's been at a particular open house is going to do much to save someone from being attacked. On the other hand, a sharp mind and good education coupled with odds much better than that of your attacker can do wonders. This is where the Concealed Handgun License and concealed handgun come into play. Again let me stress that education is the key as a handgun in the wrong hands can get you killed vs. save your life but I am a firm believer that should the time ever come when someone tries to attack, he/she should take whatever measures they can to prevent such an attack. A concealed handgun is by far your best measure.
Chris,
The only thing more foolish than going to a gun fight is finding yourself in one with out a gun!
Bill
William J Archambault Jr
The Real Estate Investment Institute
http://www.reii.org
Yeah David, Chicago is so much safer than Texas. ;-)
There are several reasons our forefathers put the 2nd Amendment into the US Constitution; the right of self defense is one of them.
As for stories where having a gun made the difference; there are literally thousands of them here
"When the back door of her Zion, Ill., home was forced open by an intruder armed with a rifle, a 55-year-old housewife retrieved a handgun and fired two shots that killed the assailant. Police said the intruder was on probation for aggravated battery. (Tribune, Chicago, Ill., 12/3/06)"
"A Memphis, Tenn., man found himself confronted by two robbers outside his home, and soon the robbers went beyond making threats. They fired shots at him, and he returned fire, hitting one of the assailants, killing him. The dead robber's accomplice fled. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn., 10/21/04)"
"When a burglar broke into a Pacific Coast, Calif., home at 2 AM, the homeowner acted to protect his wife and young child. He fired and hit the intruder in the ankle, forcing him to flee. Police later captured a suspect, who was taken to the county jail after a brief trip to a local hospital. Union Tribune, San Diego, Calif., 7/12/04"
David Spencer, since you felt the need to delete my comment on your blog regarding the carring of a weapon for self defense, I chose to address the subject on my own blog. You have chosen to add a childish entry on my blog, slamming my state and the people in it. "I see that you live in Texas. Maybe that's the reason you need a gun - David Spencer" I'll go ahead and leave your post up rather than delete it as it adds a little flavor to the mix. Do feel free to comment on the following with something other than nonsence. Make a case for yourself and stand behind it...prove your point.
THIS INCIDENT HAPENED AT ABOUT 1:30PM "A couple looking to buy a home at the McKinney, TX development where Sarah had been working found her body in a model home in July 2006. Police say she had been stabbed 27 times and fought for her life during the attack." Americas Most wanted Website. HERE and more HERE
HERE'S THE SITUATION. IT'S NOTHING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU'VE READ ABOUT IN THE PAPER. YOU'RE AT AN OPEN HOUSE, IT'S BEEN SLOW. IT'S A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. 2 GENTLEMAN, APPEAR AT THE DOOR. MAYBE YOU'VE SEEN THEM PULL UP AND CALLED SOMEONE JUST IN CASE, MAYBE YOU DIDN'T - REGARDLESS, THEY ARE SMILING, WEARING DECENT CLOTHES AND DRIVING A NICE CAR. YOU GREET THEM AT THE FRONT DOOR FULLY INTENDING TO FOLLOW EVERY SINGE RULE YOU'VE READ ABOVE TO A T. UPON TURNING THE KNOB, THE DOOR IS SMASHED INTO YOU AND YOU ARE FLUNG ACROSS THE ROOM WITH THREE LARGE MEN RAPIDLY APPROCHING YOU. DID THE ABOVE WORK? DID IT BUY YOU TIME? HOW ABOUT THE PHONE CALL YOU MADE, DID IT HELP?
- Check the back door for ease of escape. THAT DOESN'T WORK AS THERE'S TWO OF THEM ATTACKING YOU.
- Does the backyard allow escape? NO
- Before you put up the open house signs, ask the owners about the neighbors and, assuming there are not any negative comments by the owners, meet the neighbors and let them know about your open house. GREAT, YOU DID THAT. WHAT WILL IT HELP?
- Park your car in the street and not the driveway. That way you cannot be blocked in. GOOD IDEA BUT WHO CARES, YOU'LL BE RAPED IN THE HOUSE NEVER BEING ABLE TO GET TO YOUR CAR ANYWAY. WHEN'T THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD ABOUT THE AGENT WHO MADE IT TO HER CAR BUT ALAS, SHE WAS BLOCKED IN...
- If the property is isolated or secluded, don't advertise this fact. Avoid using terms in ads such as "No neighbors" or "Just You and Nature." Do not advertise that the house is vacant. GOOD, GOOD, YOU WERE'T GOING TO DO THAT ANYWAY.
- When a prospect arrives, heighten your observation. Note the car, make and year. Mentally size the person(s) up. Compare them in your mind to someone you know. THIS IS GOOD. BUT AGAIN, HOW IS THIS GOING TO PROTECT YOU?
- When the prospect arrives, meet him at the door. Once the door is closed, verify the unlocked position. TOO LATE, HE'S TWICE YOUR SIZE-BLOCKING THE DOOR AND HIS BUDDIES ARE AROUND BACK.
- Insist that everyone visiting the open house sign the registry. Has your local association adopted a policy that driver's licenses must be shown and recorded at open houses? THIS IS JUST PLAIN SILLY. DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS RAPIST/KILLER IS GOING TO SIGN HIS REAL NAME? EVEN IF YOU DO HAVE THE POLICY, WHAT DOES IT MATTER? AGAIN HE'S FORCED HIMSELF INTO THE HOME. ASK FOR HIS DRIVERS LICENSE, SEE WHAT HAPPENS
- Always keep the prospect in front of you. The ideal situation is that prospects go through the house alone. HE'S A MURDERER. HE MAY WALK IN FRONT OF YOU FOR AWHILE BUT SOONER OR LATER HE'S GOING TO TURN AROUND AND PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE.
- If you accompany the prospect, always direct the prospect. Do not lead. Always have the door behind you. Never go into a basement or storage area alone with a prospect. 3 GUYS, NO ONE ELSE BUT YOU, THEY ARN'T INTERESTED IN TOURING THE HOME. THEY'RE VERY INTERESTED IN RAPPING YOU. MAKE IT ONE GUY, IT'S ALL THE SAME. YOU NEED TO OVERPOWER THEM.
- If you enter into a lengthy discussion, make sure it is near the front door and make sure the discussion is about the property, not about how successful you are. WHY NOT MAKE IT ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE...YOU'RE TRAPPED WITH NO WHERE TO GO ANYWAY. HE FORCED ENTRY. YOU CAN'T GET OUT.
- If someone asks about traffic at the house, let him know it has been very steady. HE KNOWS, HE'S BEEN WATCHING YOU FOR OVER AN HOUR. HE'S NO DUMMY, HE'S DONE THIS BEFORE.
- Buy, rent or borrow a cellular phone or flip phone. YOU HAVE ONE. IF YOU DON'T, YOU'RE NOT IN REAL ESTATE. BUT WHO CARES, HE'S FORCED ENTRY...THINK HE'S GOING TO LET YOU CALL SOMEONE?
THINK IF YOU HAD A HANDGUN AND PROPER TRAINING IN ANY OF THE ABOVE SITUATIONS...WOULD IT HAVE HELPED? SARA COULD HAVE LIVED.
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