Texas REALTORS and CHL

[bryang]

Welcome to the forum, Chris!

We are very glad to have you on board. We have a lot of very nice folks here with a lot of knowledge to share and are willing to do so. I will be looking forward to your contributions, also.

I, also, have a safe bolted to the floor of my truck for those unexpected times where I may have to go into a place that is posted.

-geo

[KD5NRH]

I will be carrying a Colt Defender 45. If I find this to be to heavy for the summer, then I'll carry my Taurus Millenium PT111, 9MM.

With a good tuckable IWB on a quality gunbelt, weight should never be an issue. I can put a Gov't Model under a dress shirt, and only those who know exactly what they're looking for will ever have any idea.

[Rotgirl]

I'm a licensed real estate broker. I got my CHL after walking into a vacant, foreclosed house I was managing in a not-so-great part of Dallas to find two guys already in the house in the process of stealing the copper wiring and pipes.

Luckily, they high-tailed it out the back door while I high-tailed it out the front door and over to the cops that were taking a report on a burned-out car someone had left on the front lawn of the little church next door. Cops couldn't catch them but it sure gave me a wake-up call!

100% of my business is managing and selling foreclosures for the banks. A large number of them are in very bad neighborhoods. My 6'4" 300 lbs husband always goes with me but I was always nervous the whole time we were at the houses.

So, I took the CHL class with On Target Firearms outside Benbrook (highly recommend them).

I carry everywhere I go now.....not just to our properties. .45 on my hip and a 380 at my back. If it's a REALLY bad neighborhood then I take my 9mm instead of the 380.

I rarely show my own properties but when I do, I do NOT tell the buyer(s) that I'm carrying. Why give away that element of surprise if they turn out to be the bad guy?

I don't have to dress up, so I usually wear jeans or kahki's. For this time of year, I found these great nylon, sleeveless vests on sale at Wal-Mart and bought several in different colors. They have pockets to put my license holder in and are long enough to cover both guns very well. Have gotten several compliments on how cute the vests are from other women. They had no idea I was carrying.

Going armed is not for everyone but I think it's something that all REALTORS should consider. It's a crazy world out there and bad things can happen anytime, anywhere to anyone.

Be safe.

Ciao....rg

[PappaGun]

I moved here from Albuquerque a little while ago. It happened twice there that real estate agents were shot and killed while showing homes. There are whackos everywhere. Showing houses to complete strangers, all alone, almost seems more dangerous than being a convenience store clerk. Almost.

[A-R]

I moved here from Albuquerque a little while ago. It happened twice there that real estate agents were shot and killed while showing homes. There are whackos everywhere. Showing houses to complete strangers, all alone, almost seems more dangerous than being a convenience store clerk. Almost.

You gotta be smart about it. I do everything I can NOT to meet a prospective for first time at a home. Try to meet them at my office or a public place (coffee shop) first, then go to the house.

[skeetshooter]

With a good tuckable IWB on a quality gunbelt, weight should never be an issue. I can put a Gov't Model under a dress shirt, and only those who know exactly what they're looking for will ever have any idea.

I kinda feel the same way about the area and whether or not to carry. However, I am getting more comfortable in carrying on a daily basis. I just purchased a CROSSBREED SUPERTUCK for my Taurus PT111. I have to say it hugs close and doesn't print at all. I'm impressed with it, so much so I bought another for my Ruger P89. I'm still waiting (14 weeks) on a TT Gunleather IWB for my Colt defender .45, which I plan on carrying as well.
Back on topic...Reading all these great posts about other Realtors/Appraisers who CC well, I just feel more comfortable in doing so. Thanks!

[A-R]

Yet another example of why all Realtors, real estate agents, new home counselors, or anyone else who walks into large vacant buildings alone with complete strangers on a daily basis should CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON to protect themselves.

Of course, I'd be interested to know if this home builder banned employees from carrying weapons as a condition of employement. I'm waiting for the first employee victim to sue an employer for taking away the employee's God-given right to self-defense.


Daily Real Estate News | September 8, 2009 |
Practitioner Assaulted While On Job
A Cary, N.C., real estate practitioner says she was sexually assaulted Sunday while she was staffing the sales office of a new housing subdivision.

The suspect walked into the office, which was located in a model home, and presented himself as a buyer, according to police reports. After looking around, he said the home was too large and asked to see something smaller. The associate took him to see an adjacent property, where the man threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her, according to police.

Police arrested a convicted sex offender, Michael Edward Sleeman of Raleigh, and charged him in connection with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual offense. They identified Sleeman from information he provided on the prospective buyer card and comments he made to the woman about his sex-offender status.

Source: News & Observer, David Bracken (09/07/2009)

[LostInAustin]

I can't believe he filled out his info on the Buyer's sheet! What an idiot! He got off easy, he should have left in a bag!

[A-R]

I can't believe he filled out his info on the Buyer's sheet! What an idiot! He got off easy, he should have left in a bag!

Yeah, I'm almost thinking he wanted to be caught or something. Sick individual, obviously. Who knows his motivations. And who really cares. Lock him up and throw away the key. His deed will scar that poor woman for the rest of her life.

[joseywales]

I am a Realtor in DFW area and have given a lot of thought lately about carrying concealed.

Though I've been a CHL holder for quite some time, my past employers have been very anti-gun/anti-CHL and until I ventured into the field of real estate, I really had very little opportunity to carry concealed most of the time.

In reading/hearing about some of the experiences of other Realtors in DFW, and with all the open house activity that I do, I'm taking a fresh look at carrying concealed.

One of my clients is a firm believer in concealed carry - he couldn't believe it when I told him I wasn't packing on a day we went to view some homes.
I asked, "are you?", to which he responded (as his wife rolled her eyes in a "I can't believe you asked that" look..."G19 on my right hip, S&W M36 in my right cargo pocket, NAA 380 in left cargo pocket - so yes, you could say that I'm carrying today." Prepared. Always loved showing with that family. Every home tour began with...now which room can I setup my safe and Dillon reloader... Still my all-time favorite client!

I'll get there...soon.

[skeetshooter]

Hey skeet, let me know how carrying that .45 works for you. I've downgraded to either a Ruger LCP or S&W .38 for most "on the job" CHL because I just can't find a comfortable way to carry anything larger while looking "professional" in my dress. I'm contemplating a Walther PPS and tuckable IWB holster under my standard Polo-style golf shirts, but for now just carry the LCP or .38 in a pocket holster in my khakis. Other than a business suit or sports coat (too hot in summer, and actually a bit "much" dress wise for my clientele) I can't find a decent cover garment that works right for a proper Realtor "look" (business casual?)

Austinrealtor, I promised to get back to you once my holster came in for my coltdefender .45. (16 weeks) Well, it works great on a 1.5 inch belt. I've been wearing it for a couple of days and no problems and it doesn't print.

[Houston]

Houston Realtor and carry on all showings. I've walked into a couple of "vacant" homes where people have broke in through the back door and were actually smoking pot. Luckily, for all of us (both times) the people got up and ran out the back door.

[Medic218]

skeetshooter:

Do you remember the female realtor that was killed while
on site in the Frisco/McKinney/Allen area? I don't remember
just which town. The cops did some good detective work and
eventually caught the murderer.

If you have your CHL, the operative word is "Concealed."
Carry for your own safety. Don't say a word about your gun
to anyone at work. Just be armed and vigilant.

I used to work for a guy who had a saying about when you know
a secret about someone: "Just be silent, and KNOW."

In this case, "Just be silent and KNOW... that you are carrying."

If you think your current carry gun is too big, switch to a smaller gun.
The first rule of a gunfight is.... to bring a gun.
A small gun you can conceal in your dressy realtor clothing
beats a hand cannon that's in your vehicle.

Stay safe and armed out there. Over and out.

I remember this, it was in McKinney. Her name was Sarah Anne Walker and she was stabbed 27 times.

[TXwaterdog]

BTW, It's my opinon and interpretation of the Texas law that make me think a Texas REALTOR doesn't need a CHL to carry a gun to and from their car, office and the house they're showing. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

PENAL CODE
TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS
CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS
a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's control....

Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED.
...
(h) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(4) that the actor possessed a firearm or club while traveling to or from the actor's place of assignment or in the actual discharge of duties as a security officer commissioned by the Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, if:
(1) the actor is wearing a distinctive uniform; and
(2) the firearm or club is in plain view.
(i) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)(6) that the actor possessed a firearm or club:
(1) while in a vehicle being driven on a public road; or
(2) at the actor's residence or place of employment

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... .htm#46.02

I would consider a Realtor showing a house as being in their place of employment. Carrying thier handgun to and from thier car, the the office then while showing property would be fine. They would however run into problems if they stopped anywhere else and kept the gun on themselves such as a gas station or meeting a client at a coffee shop.. In those cases where they stop for gas or go inside a resturant they would need to leave thier handgun in the car or have a CHL. -Correct yes/no?

[Keith B]

I would consider a Realtor showing a house as being in their place of employment. Carrying thier handgun to and from thier car, the the office then while showing property would be fine. They would however run into problems if they stopped anywhere else and kept the gun on themselves such as a gas station or meeting a client at a coffee shop.. In those cases where they stop for gas or go inside a resturant they would need to leave thier handgun in the car or have a CHL. -Correct yes/no?

First off, welcome to the forum.

Your home? Yes.
Your car? Yes.
Office? Maybe -depends on if fully under your control. If someone else can tell you that you can't carry there, then it would not be a premises under your control.
Home you are selling? Maybe - the quesiton of if that home is under your control is debateable. The homeowner does not transfer full control of the home to you unless you are assigned as a caretaker in their absence, not just the listing agent or buyers agent, so I personally don't believe it would be considered a premises under your control.