Posted by Kimberly_IN on 5/17/05 2:42pm
Msg #38399

Does anybody carry a gun to a closing?

My husband and I just recently moved to Indianapolis...ALOT bigger of a city than I'm use to. He works in the firearms dept. at a local sporting goods store and thinks I should take a small hand gun with me to closings, keep it in a holster in my bag "just in case". Does anybody else carry a gun?

Reply by Philem on 5/17/05 2:45pm
Msg #38402

Kim, I would ask the local police department about this, which I'm sure you were going to do regardless.

-Jim

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 5/17/05 2:46pm
Msg #38403

Personally (and this is just me)... I think if you have thoughts of needing to carry a gun for protection you need to reconsider what you're doing in this business.

My husband thinks the same way as your husband. Perhaps I have more faith in humanity than either of our husbands.

Reply by Anonymous on 5/17/05 2:47pm
Msg #38404

Yes I carry a .45 in case the borrowers refuse to sign.

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 5/17/05 2:49pm
Msg #38407

Now Anon...

That's an excellent reason to pack a piece! Other than that, I don't see a reason

Reply by PAW_Fl on 5/17/05 2:50pm
Msg #38411

So, what you're saying is, that if the borrowers won't sign, you call in the Loan Officer & Broker, Smith & Wesson?

Reply by Kim_NJ on 5/17/05 2:54pm
Msg #38413

LOL @ anonymous....

But in all seriousness if you feel the need to carry a gun into certain neighborhoods, you may want to reconsider the assignment! My husband and I both do this (he does it full time, and I help out in the evenings when necessary) and he will not allow me (nor would I go) to go into certain cities / town / and - or neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods he will not even venture into. The money we earn is pretty good, but our lives are much more valuable. Always consider your safety when accepting assignments.


Also keep in mind if you do not know how to handle a gun, the wrong person may end up getting shot.

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 5/17/05 3:26pm
Msg #38428

Kim... Where in Jersey are you?

I grew up in Clifton, NJ (Passaic County), married and moved to Boonton and later to Jefferson Twp. (Morris County). Lots of nice places in Jersey and lots of un-nice places too.

I agree... Safety first! I know I wouldn't carry a gun because I'd end up shooting myself in the foot or something far worse. Better not to accept assignments in areas that aren't so nice.

Reply by Betty- WV on 5/17/05 10:35pm
Msg #38513

Re: Kim... Where in Jersey are you?

I once considered doing the same when I was assigned to Baltimore City. It was never the borrowers I was leary of, but the loiterers and vagrants in the area. I carried pepper spray instead of a firearm. Im now assigned to WV........I dont need anything now.

Reply by Claudia_NJ on 5/18/05 7:01am
Msg #38568

Re: Kim... Where in Jersey are you?

Hey Maggie,

I'm in Central Jersey - Middlesex county

Reply by Kim_NJ on 5/18/05 7:08am
Msg #38570

Re: Kim... Where in Jersey are you?

We live "down the shore"! We are in northern Ocean County (central Jersey). I grew up in northern Somerset county.

Reply by Josh_FL on 5/17/05 7:33pm
Msg #38486

I have one in my car, but would never actually take it into the signing.

Reply by Bill/CA on 5/17/05 3:24pm
Msg #38426

How many times have you used it? One way to make sure you get paid!

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 5/18/05 12:18am
Msg #38552

Re: Does anybody carry a gun to a closing? Too funny..ANON

Reply by Jay on 5/17/05 2:48pm
Msg #38405

DITTO!!!!!!! n/m

Reply by Jay on 5/17/05 2:49pm
Msg #38410

Re: DITTO to MaggieMae reply. n/m

Reply by Kimberly_IN on 5/17/05 3:05pm
Msg #38417

Re: DITTO to MaggieMae reply. n/m

I hunt so I don't have a problem with shot guns but I'm not too sure about hand guns. I guess I could learn. I haven't ever considered carrying a gun. He sees all sorts of people coming in and buying hand guns to keep in their purse and thought that might be a good idea for me. But, I mentioned to him that I could be the one getting shot, so you never know. It doesn't sound like carrying a gun is a common thing. I don't know any notaries in the area so I thought I would check here. Maybe some mace would work out better. (That way I won't shoot myself in the foot accidently) Thanks!

Reply by MaggieMae_CA on 5/17/05 3:29pm
Msg #38429

Oh Gosh Pepper Spray...

Just a word of warning on that... If you spray it, get the heck out of there ASAP. I had a container which was very old in my purse. Took it out and spritz it to see if it still worked. Everyone in my house had to get out we all started coughing and choking. That was just from a little spritz.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 5/18/05 12:21am
Msg #38553

Re: Oh Gosh Pepper Spray...MaggieMae ANOTHER GOOD ONE

Reply by Glena/NV on 5/17/05 3:06pm
Msg #38418

Pepper spray is much safer...

You could end up killing a person due to split second decision that could end up to be wrong or that person ends up killing you if he/she ends up successfully wrestling you. You are in their home...many things could happen. A wrong decision coud end up fatal and could land you in jail instead of them. A pepper spray will allow you a chance to escape the attacker.

Reply by Kimberly_IN on 5/17/05 3:10pm
Msg #38420

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

Thanks Glena. That's what I was thinking. Like I said, I didn't think of it before, but then I thought "maybe I"m not being safe enough" Thanks!

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 5/17/05 3:20pm
Msg #38425

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

I would never bring a loaded gun into anyones home without thier knowledge or permission. And as someone who has had a notary come to my home I would be furious if I found out that a gun was brought into my home without my knowledge or permission. After all the borrower is paying to have someone come in and handle the signing, they are not paying for someone to bring a deadly weapon into thier homes without thier consent. If you really feel the need to have some sort of protection maybe pepper spray.... maybe

Reply by John / FL on 5/17/05 3:45pm
Msg #38434

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

There are so many reasons that carrying a gun is a bad idea.

As a police officer, I regularly carried a gun both on and off duty. There is nothing more burdensome than the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm in public. The liability (both civil and criminal) should you ever have to use it, is huge.

If you have a gun, you open yourself up to claims that you actually did use it to coerce someone to sign. Seems far fetched? How many crazy incidents do people report to this board all the time?

If you carry it on your person, you will always have to wear a jacket to conceal it. If you carry it in a bag or purse, what happens if the borrower's 3 year old decides to get into your bag? Who do you think that liability will fall on, let alone the horrible feeling for the rest of you life.

Carrying a gun on a regular basis is really a hassle, because of the heavy, bulky nature of it. The pain of carrying it almost always outweighs the need for it. Ever decided your cell phone was too bulky and you wanted a smaller one? Image to a power of 10.

Carrying a firearm will give you a false sense of security that will leave you in situations you would have otherwise left. Once you start carrying it, you have to carry it religiously. You can't decide, well, I don't feel like lugging it around today. If you do, you will start putting yourself in situations where you need it, and that will be the day you decided to leave it at home.

The vast majority of people who go out and get a concealed handgun license are not trained nearly well enough to use a handgun to defend themselves or someone else, particularly in a high stress situation. Simply going to a firing range and firing a box of ammunition is not good enough. Yet that is all most people do. Without extensive firearms training, you will be a danger to anyone around you. Don't even attempt to carrying a handgun without EXTENSIVE training. Even with it, it is still a bad idea to carry a gun to a signing. I have over 1000 hours of firearms training and would never even consider it.

There are so many reasons this is a bad idea and only 1 that it is a good idea: safety. The reality is, if you think you find yourself in a position where you think you might need it, it is time to leave. If it is really serious, call 911. Can't get to your phone to call 911? What makes you think you would be able to get to your gun in that situation?

Please, please do not consider carrying a firearm to a signing.

Reply by Ernest_CT on 5/17/05 5:49pm
Msg #38455

I'm with John / FL, for all of his reasons. Just don't! n/

Reply by SamIam_CA on 5/17/05 3:45pm
Msg #38435

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

***I would be furious if I found out that a gun was brought into my home without my knowledge or permission.***

Excellent point! God forbid some curious toddler gets into your bag.

Plus the fact that this person has applied for a loan. I just don't think a person intent on killing someone is going to go to all of the trouble of filling out the paperwork involved just to get someone in their house. Much easier to just call for a pizza delivery or 'escort'.

Reply by ERNA_CA on 5/17/05 6:17pm
Msg #38462

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

The only senario where I would see there might be violance at a notary loan signing, is if there is a divorce involved. I dont think a serial murderer or rapist would fill in a loan ap in order to comitt a crime. I have had babys go for my handbag wich is usualy becide my chair on the floor. God forbit it containd a gun.

Reply by CA_Jeanet on 5/17/05 6:49pm
Msg #38473

Re: Pepper spray is much safer...

I live in a very remote area in northern CA and decided from the beginning what I should do to protect myself if necessary. My husband drives me to appts, and calls at regular intervals. If I am too uneasy, he accompanies me and merely sits quietly beside me. This has only happened one time. NEVER do I remove the pepper spray from my briefcase, just in the event a quick get away is necessary. A few signings have presented people who were heavily intoxicated, so you never know. We must be people who love to live on the edge!

Reply by missymrtn_socal on 5/17/05 7:01pm
Msg #38478

I have to be honest....if I had a notary that brought a gun into my home, then I would politely ask them to leave!

Reply by BrendaTX on 5/17/05 7:47pm
Msg #38488

I vote: No gun in another person's home whether

you have a CHL or not.

If a serial rapist/killer has gone to the trouble of applying for a loan, etc. etc., they are not going to jump the notary.

Figure out a plan ahead of time.

Don't be timid when you walk in. Women who carry themselves like they are timid are more likely to be raped than women who show confidence.

Listen to your inner voice. If it tells you there's danger. Make a phone call in response to a fake page no one else can hear and excuse yourself. Nothing is more important than getting your rear out the door if you are at risk.

If you are really afraid, bolt for the door and don't look back.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

And, like someone else said...if you are afraid of going into people's homes, you are in the wrong business.

Reply by Melody on 5/17/05 10:15pm
Msg #38505

I don't need a gun. I am in the middle of menopause. n/m

Reply by Sam I am CA on 5/17/05 10:33pm
Msg #38512

Re:menopause-They're not hot flashes, they're power surges!

Reply by Melody on 5/17/05 10:40pm
Msg #38516

Re:menopause

I finally realized why men marry younger women.

By the time the wife hits menopause, the husband not only wants to miss his darling going through The Change, he wants to be DEAD!

Reply by BrendaTX on 5/17/05 11:40pm
Msg #38537

Re: Re:menopause

My grandfather used to feel he was safer if he grabbed a broom and started sweeping when his darling wife was showing signs of hormonal fluctuation.

Usually, we knew because she wanted the house cleaned...like day before freaking YESTERDAY!!!!

I remember. Sometimes he and I fought over the broom.

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 5/17/05 11:27pm
Msg #38532

My all time favorite gun story

Reported by the late , nationally syndicated columnist, Mike Royko:
A man woke up in the middle of the night and believed that he saw a tall , skinny, bald intruder at the foot of his bed.
Took his gun off the nite stand and fired.
Guess what he shot off?
I am in a Blue state, and can't carry a concealed weapon. I carry a stnadard, 15 page 1st mortgage. If confroned by a fiend, I start reading it aloud and bore them to death.

Reply by BrendaTX on 5/17/05 11:29pm
Msg #38533

Okay Bob...I laughed...and laughed. n/m

Reply by Reggie on 5/18/05 12:12am
Msg #38549

I don't even own a handgun. My opinion is if you carry pepper spray or mace be very careful who you spray. I worked at the State Hospital Here in this area many years ago and we had a patient come in to be checked in and he was High on MJ and got into the nurses station we sprayed him with Pepper spray and He just became more irriate and mad and did quite a bit of damage to our nurses station before the security people came and took him away.

Reggie
Kansas

Reply by Kimberly_IN on 5/18/05 12:40pm
Msg #38656

OK, pepper spray it is. I haven't ever carried anything and I've been in the business for 10 years. I have never felt threatened. (been relieved a time or two to get out of the house) When I die is in God's hands anyway. Thanks for the feedback everybody.

Reply by ERNA_CA on 5/18/05 1:00pm
Msg #38661

Re: No gun, don' want to shoot off anything vital .re: Bob.:

I won't even allowe my son in law which is a cop to bring his gun into my house. Just keep in mind, someone bent on hurting someone is not going to apply for a loan in order to do so, we probably stand a greater chance of being hurt in transit to those late evening signings than being attacked by a borrower. But then again strange things do happen.