In a survey conducted by the NAR, it was discovered that upward of 25 percent of male agents and 12 percent of female agents carry a concealed gun while on the job.
Carrying in and of itself isn’t a problem, but it does present the opportunity to address some common pitfalls with concealed carry and how to address them.
Provided that you know how to use them, guns are fine. Registering for and obtaining a concealed carry permit is generally not an easy (or cheap) task. And we can all agre that having the legal clearance to own and carry a pistol doesn’t automatically bestow expert status, either.
If you carry a gun for self-defense, you unequivocally have to be okay with lining up three white dots over another human being’s torso and squeezing the trigger until they are no longer a threat.
If that’s not something that you can stomach, experts say you shouldn’t carry a gun. Period.
Something that experts say you should do even if you don’t have any qualms about self-defense is invest in an active shooter clinic or training. There’s a lot more to defensive or offensive shooting than pointing and pulling the trigger, and these classes will help prepare you for that reality. They’ll also give you an idea of whether or not you can handle the potential intensity of a gun fight.
Guns aren’t necessarily inherently dangerous objects, but extra care must be taken to prevent accidents. Be sure to observe the following rules at all times, regardless of whether or not you’re with a client:
– Keep the gun covered and secured. There are plenty of holsters that cover the trigger guard and prevent the gun from moving at all—invest in such a holster for your gun.
– Keep the breach clear. This should be a no-brainer, but just in case: do not have a round in the chamber. Not only is this highly dangerous, it’s also illegal in many states.
– Practice makes perfect. Know how to fire, maintain, and fix your firearm, both in perfect conditions and in more appropriately stressful ones.
– Know what ammunition is legal to carry in your state.
Following these rules in conjunction with basic firearm safety measures goes a long way towards keeping everyone stay safe.
The notion that 25 percent of all male realtors and 12 percent of female agents are packing might seem alarming, but the truth of the matter is that plenty of people have CCLs and practice regular concealed carry, largely without incident.
What’s scarier is the idea that some of those people don’t realize that having a gun doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re equipped to use it, which is why experts strongly urge carriers to enroll in the proper classes before carrying in self-defense.
It boils down to treating gun ownership and the subject of taking a human life with the respect they mandate.
