REALTORS and Guns: Is your agent packing heat?

Its sad to know, safety is a big concern.  You never know what we're up against.  There is safety in numbers.  I hope 2008 is a great year for you.  Thanks for the blog.  Lu

I am as concerned as the next guy about safety. I know you have to do all you can to protect yourself but still I don't carry a weapon....maybe I should but ...

Well funny thing. I had an open house last weekend.  I happendd to be looking out the front when I noticed a man walkinga big Rot. He didn't really have the look of a potential buyer, not that I was judging it was just a feeling.  He stopped and came back to the house and walked up to the door. I didn't feel safe at all. We talked at the door because with  the dog I wasn't going to let him in. I was fearful and was really relived when he left. It was creepy.  I was in a unsafe position and didn't like it.

So as Realtors we must always trust our instincts. If the hair on your neck tingles or stands up that is a survival reaction and should be taken serouisly.

I recommend a Kimber .45 ACP, preferably the CDP (Custom Defense Package).  It uses a larger, heaver slug with a relatively low muzzle velocity for better stopping power, which comes in handy when faced with a sizable attacker.

Great points.  We always insist the customer meets us at our office first.  On the very rare ocasion that the customer refuses we will have two of us go to the first showing and once the situation gets comfortable one will excuse themself and leave.

Jonathan, I use to live in the Sierras and show land. I just got out there and did it. Sometimes my husband went and sometimes not. I was showing in two territories and I met a long time agent in the nearby area for lunch. She was leaving the area and I wanted to pick her brain about the area and workout a referral agreement on her clients. Her parting words were "You are carrying a gun, right. I like a 38 and it's under my seat". I ask her if she had every used it and replied she had. She would just shoot in the air and they would just run. Sobering for sure. I lost my desire for showing land. My husband does all opens with me and most showings. But we really should still consider putting a permitted gun under the seat. Nice post! I am rather the non-violent type with an aversion to the concept, however I also have an aversion to being tied up and tortured. Interesting post!

It is a sad state of affairs when realtors have to start packing.  I've been in the business for over 20 years and never even considered carrying a gun.  My now partner and fiance keeps telling me I need to get a carry permit but I am resisting.  I have read about agents who have been murdered, right here in Maryland and in 2007 an agent I knew met his demise in one of his own listings.  I have, however, started carrying pepper spray (just another one of those things to attach to my key ring along with my car keys, house keys, office keys, MLS Safe token and soon to come sentri loc card too).  Is it any wonder my purse is so heavy.  I have however been blessed with a sixth sense and whenever I feel I may be in danger I ask another agent to accompany me.  I hardly ever do an open house on my own, I usually ask a lender to keep me company and I always let someone else know where I'm going and who I'm meeting.  Just be smart about being safe.

Hey Jonathan,

Great topic,

I wrote about this a few months ago and was surprised at the negative responses i got. I strongly believe that agents should carry a gun, legally, for their protection. When I was in property management back in Kentucky, I ALWAYS carried a gun because many of my tenants paid their rent in cash. Sometimes I had the pistol concealed, sometimes I had it exposed...Intentionally. You can never be too safe.

Sean Allen

Great posts by all,  It does get creepy out there at times. Defiantly trust when the hair stands up on the back of your neck.  The worst part in some of our areas, we are still primitive and don't get  phone reception.  I have an agreement with a few other agents if you need someone else to go along for the ride because of a feeling one of us is always there.

I live in AZ, a must issue state. I have not yet gotten a permit, think about it all of the time. In AZ, you never know who is carrying, best to assume everyone you meet is.

I do carry pepper spray much of the time, especially at open houses.

I carry mace but am thinking about carryinng a gun. If I am going into a iffy area I get my Dad to ride sotgun and he is licensed to carry a gun.

At the very least, I think agents need pepper spray. And it's probably not a bad idea to carry a concealed weapon. Some agents may not feel comfortable with a gun, however.

I hate guns, PERIOD!  I refuse to have a gun in my home let alone carry a concealed fire arm.  Too many accidental deaths occur each year in this county when there are guns in a home.  I do carry pepper spray though and would consider carrying a taser.

A fellow agent recently mentioned at a sales meeting that he carries a concealed hand gun. He lists a lot of foreclosure properties which may be located in a high crime area or he could run into an angry previous homeowner or a squatter.  I choose to avoid these situations instead of carrying a gun!

If I were a buyer or seller and found out that my real estate agent carried a concealed hand gun, I would RUN as fast as I could to find a new agent!!

Some may consider me to be naive, but I just can't live my life in constant fear.

I carry a gun. I've carried one for years, and I'm very comfortable with it. My thought is this...I would rather have it and never need it, than to need it and not have it.

For those uncomfortable with guns Don't Carry one! It could be used against you. For those who don't carry have some way to protect yourself. When holding an open house, always have an escape plan in case something goes wrong. I don't think you should live your life in fear, but I do believe you should always be prepared just in case.

I just love the avatar you  use.