Posted by David Rowell on October 17, 2005 at 17:17:34:
I find that taking my 100 pound long-haired German Shepherd whose grandfather was a police dog is quite effective 
MH investing and firearms - Posted by jp(sc)
Posted by jp(sc) on October 01, 2005 at 06:42:18:
Anyone here carry a firearm when you are out in the field? I find myself going into some pretty sketchy neighborhoods. Iâm afraid Iâm going to surprise a crackhead in a repo or vacant one day and be at risk of losing my life.
Iâm also considering buying a property where I will be evicting some drug-dealers. These are low-level dealers, not like scarface or the mafia. Iâm still a little concerned they might want to do me in.
JP(SC)
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Dale(Conway SC)
Posted by Dale(Conway SC) on October 03, 2005 at 20:17:17:
Good Luck to ya jpâŚI know what your talkin about.That.1% is what can get to ya.Happy investing.
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Don-NY
Posted by Don-NY on October 03, 2005 at 08:48:00:
I am with the shotgun folks. There is no mistaking that CHA-CHUNK sound everyone knows what that is. I would rather be a master in CHA-CHUNK that JUDO any day.
Re: MH investing and firearms Have that weapon - Posted by James
Posted by James on October 03, 2005 at 07:00:17:
There are 2 different reasons to have your weapon. The first being chance and circumstance, as you speak of in surprising some unsavory character scenario. Everyday stuff, but never foreseeable as to where or when.
The second is the other one you point out, performing a function wherein you may have need of the power to overcome a foreseeable situation, such as confronting armed drug dealers, of whatever stripe. Never, ever trust your firepower to prevail in such situations. The military doctrine is OVERWHELMING firepower, not sufficient. Get backup as I further describe below.
Most people encounter violent, life threatening situations during an armed robbery. Avoid being a target of that like the plague, and let people know you never have any money on you, to keep it that way.
As to the eviction, no, not around here. The SHERIFF or other court officer does that. The MARSHALL, maybe, moves their belongings to the street. Even if that is not the way your jurisdiction does things, and it falls to you, then call the local departments and get someone who needs a one-time security job (must be in uniform).
When I have used crowd control for big events in retail I used local Sheriff deputies, who were off duty. I got them with a phone call to the department board operator, who gets that call everyday.
They have the gun strapped on, they can have immediate radio contact to get backup, and attacking them is a big big big nono, no matter what the situation, unlike attacking you or me. They also tend to know the operational policy when they have to perform an eviction with you, and you can hand off the paperwork, and let them take the lead. Make sure they know this aspect of the job before you hire them.
Lastly, while you can perform the same arrest as everyone in âlaw enforcementâ, they will usually act a bit more directly if they see something in plain sight, and may be getting a felony bust out of the deal, as may happen in a druggy eviction. Bringing in felony cases is a good thing for any officer, at any time.
Just make sure he knows you are armed, and have your ducks in a row with respect to the License. Present him your credentials the moment you meet for the eviction. He may ask you not to carry, and I would be reluctant to comply, in that I feel I should be able to back him up fully.
I carry a Crescent wrench - Posted by DJ Swett-- (ME)
Posted by DJ Swett-- (ME) on October 02, 2005 at 20:11:22:
I, too, am a shooter, ammo reloader, ex-military, etc. and an enthusiastic supporter of NRA, but I have been very reluctant to take a gun onto my properties.
Instead, to give me a slight advantage for a push-pull situation, I pull out my shirt to hang over my belt and stick a 12" Crescent wrench in my back pocket.
I do this if I have a nite time call of party or noise or if I have to make a rent collection visit. Diplomacy and, maybe luck, has taken care of all of my situations. I figure that I can run backwards fast enuf if I get into a squeeze that the wrench canât handle.
I have NEVER had to get out my wrenchâever. I canât visualize a landlording situation requiring any more self protection than my heavy wrench.
Also, if it ever comes to a âhe said, I saidâ situation, I can present myself as a normal landlord carrying a work tool to a job site cuz I had to tighten up a plumbing fitting on the hot water heater.
DJ
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Killer Joe
Posted by Killer Joe on October 01, 2005 at 13:08:21:
jp,
Thatâs one of those questions that if you have to ask it then the answer is NO.
Many people are hurt or killed with their own guns because they overestimated what they would do with it when the time came to use it. Having a gun on you and actually using it are two completely different things. If you are not mentally prepared to inflict servere damage or even death on another human being, donât bring a gun to the party.
I shoot on a regular basis and have been armed for most of my life. One of my Mossberg 12gaâs saved my butt during the L.A. riots of '92. I had a job in the late 80âs just outside of Compton, Ca. where I kept a shotgun loaded and ready next to my desk due to threats from the local gang members. These situations are not fun and I recommend you stay away from environments that can quickly escalate to stupidity.
Here is what I would recommendâŚtake some shooting lessons if you havenât already. I am a firm believer in the right to bear arms and having a gun around means you need to know how to use it. I canât imagine not having the choice to protect yourself if need be, but you first must know how to handle a weapon. Now is a good time to start if you think you want to go that route.
Remember, the true meaning of âgun controlâ is being able to hit where you are aiming on the first shot. That takes practice. HTH
KJ
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by JT
Posted by JT on October 01, 2005 at 11:46:51:
I carry legally everyday and in every neighborhood. No one even knows I carry or has known for the last 8 years. I still do not enter into situations that I donât think diplomacy can handle.
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Mike Cheatwood
Posted by Mike Cheatwood on October 01, 2005 at 09:34:47:
JP,
I usually keep a pistol at hand (but out of sight/I do have a âright to carryâ permit) whether out in the âfieldâ using my long/thin âdoor keyâ for repo inspection or around the back lot side of my MHP (depending on the time of day). Fortunately as far as sucessful investing goes, the risk/reward decision tree has worked very well in my favor (and I would not have it any other way - excitment while making money). However, I prefer to use a big smile, charm and good looks in dealing with people where-ever possible⌠but it does not hurt to be prepared as well as always acting like you are confident (in my opinion).
As such, I have never had to pull the gun out of my pocket in 8 years of investing.
Mike
PS Might be a SC thing as I too am from SC and own a MHP in SC as well have owned a number of Apt Bldgâs in Virginia.
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Nate-WI
Posted by Nate-WI on October 01, 2005 at 07:04:31:
How bout thisâŚrun for your life and find some where else to invest.
Nate
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by osupsycho (OK)
Posted by osupsycho (OK) on October 03, 2005 at 11:25:30:
Good point. I have used that CHA-CHUNK sound more than once as a deterent to something I wasnât sure about. It is a lot less dangerous than a warning shot (in the air) or anything else and definetly gets peoples attention.
Much more legal - Posted by Philip
Posted by Philip on October 03, 2005 at 15:07:21:
but the range on those crescent wrenches is so short!!
Especially in my puny arm!
My son was threatened at school and was gonna take an ax handle under his truck seat.
I told him to get a pee wee size baseball bat and ball and glove so he âjust had it in his truckâ.
Smart call on the âlandlordâs toolâ.
Philip
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by jp(SC)
Posted by jp(SC) on October 01, 2005 at 16:20:50:
Good advice, Killer Joe.
Iâve owned a gun for quite a while, but never carried. Iâm only considering it now because my MH business is picking up. I have a military background including handgun training. I too have a Mossberg 12ga but I think it is a little awkward to carry anywhere but behind the seat in my pickup.
Iâm not looking for trouble by any means. I just want to be prepared for it if it shows up unexpectedly.
If you think it is appropriate Iâd like to hear more about your situation in LA.
JP
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by osupsycho (OK)
Posted by osupsycho (OK) on October 03, 2005 at 11:20:07:
Why am I not surprised to see you pop into a discussion about firearms and MHâs. I didnât realize you were carrying and am curious how you keep it discreet. I am thinking about getting a conceal carry license myself.
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by jp(sc)
Posted by jp(sc) on October 01, 2005 at 07:39:38:
Man up, Nate! Tharâs money to be made in these here trailers.
I guess everyone in WI is nice and civil. But in SC, there is a different kind of folks living in singlewides. Iâm not going to turn tail and run when thereâs money to made.
Seriously though, it is a very remote chance that Iâll be in danger, but the chance still exists, even in WI. Why not be prepared?
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by CM (ga)
Posted by CM (ga) on October 03, 2005 at 08:59:58:
Is it really that rough in SC? Iâm trying to get started investing in MHâs in the Augusta, GA area (having trouble getting my first deal under way), but decided I was going to ride over the border and check out some SC parks.
Do I really need to bring protection around when Iâm looking at these homes? I have seen my fair share of crackheads running around, but have been lucky so far.
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by Nate-WI
Posted by Nate-WI on October 01, 2005 at 08:42:24:
Man up? No thanks. If I have to go into a neighborhood, armed and dangerous, looking for property to purchase I think I will pass. Thatâs just me. Every state has bad neighboorhoodsâŚWI is not the exception. With the Packers doing so bad crime and murders have been on the rise. Different strokes for different folks. My point is this. Why invest in this area and not in others? What is your market like? Are there no other options or do you think that this area is a goldmine cause no one is doing deals in that area. HmmmmmâŚwonder why.
Nate-WI
Re: MH investing and firearms - Posted by jp(sc)
Posted by jp(sc) on October 03, 2005 at 09:10:53:
No, it isnât that rough. You donât NEED a gun. That was never my point. Keeping a level head and watching out for suspicious people and situtations will keep you safe in 99.9% of situations. It is the 0.01% that Iâm talking about. The situation that comes about despite all your best efforts to avoid it. I donât want to count on luck to keep me safe. Iâve got a family to care for, and if faced with that nightmare scenario Iâd like to be able to shoot back.