"Man with gun" encounter
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:36 am
I am a Realtor in Austin and carry every day. A couple of days ago I was with a client showing a vacant house. It was getting late and the sun was about to be going down soon so I wanted to make this one a quick and easy showing so I could get home and have some dinner. Well, when I was walking up to the door with my client I noticed something a little off, the door was already open. This happens on many occasions and its usually another Realtor showing the property or a contractor doing some repairs. Naturally, I didnt think much of it, but of course as soon as Im about to enter the door I always yell out "Realtor, anyone home"?!
After a 5 second pause no one answers. So now things are a little strange. However, the house is very small (about 1200 sqft) and is completely empty. I Assume that a previous Realtor just forgot to close the door on the way out. With my client behind me we through the living room and as we turn the corner into the kitchen I see it... A Full size handgun sitting on the kitchen counter! MY client doesnt say anyting and kind of just freezes up. Then A man pops up from the floor about 3 feet from the gun. I immediately ask, in an escalated tone, "who are you". I was still in a surprisingly calm state but was about grip my XD when the man said he was the homeowner. I didnt really buy that because I called out 10 seconds before hand....
However, long story short, the guy actually ended up being the landlord and had a nice little chat about the real estate industry and carrying.
I'm glad to know that I was able to keep calm even in a very strange, sudden, and alarming situation! Things could have ended up pretty bad if I had reacted just a little differently...
After a 5 second pause no one answers. So now things are a little strange. However, the house is very small (about 1200 sqft) and is completely empty. I Assume that a previous Realtor just forgot to close the door on the way out. With my client behind me we through the living room and as we turn the corner into the kitchen I see it... A Full size handgun sitting on the kitchen counter! MY client doesnt say anyting and kind of just freezes up. Then A man pops up from the floor about 3 feet from the gun. I immediately ask, in an escalated tone, "who are you". I was still in a surprisingly calm state but was about grip my XD when the man said he was the homeowner. I didnt really buy that because I called out 10 seconds before hand....
However, long story short, the guy actually ended up being the landlord and had a nice little chat about the real estate industry and carrying.
I'm glad to know that I was able to keep calm even in a very strange, sudden, and alarming situation! Things could have ended up pretty bad if I had reacted just a little differently...
