My response to the “Realtors shouldn’t have guns” story

Below is an exact copy of the letter that was just sent to not only the reporter in this original story, but also the VP/Editor of the Tampa Bay Times.  What are your thoughts?

June 24, 2015

Ms. Susan Taylor Martin

Times Senior Correspondent

SMartin@TampaBay.com

Dear Ms. Martin,

As a Realtor® myself as well as an educator that teaches safety for agents, your article from Friday the 19th has been forwarded to me by numerous people for my opinion, and I felt that I should reach out to you as well.

I understand that this article may not necessarily be your opinion, that you reported the facts that were presented at the Pinellas Realtor® Organization, so I’d like to take a minute to expand.

I’m personally a little bothered by the statement that ALL agents should not carry a gun and feel that this is a sweeping generalization spoken by someone that either hasn’t thought their position all the way through or honestly feels that we are all too stupid to be trusted with one.

I might also mention here that I am an NRA Certified instructor as well as a certified instructor for the SAFE program, WAVE program, the brand new National Association of Realtors® Safety Matters class as well as the author of a safety class that has been approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for CE credits for real estate professionals.  I specialize in teaching men and women how to make a decision on their own personal protection plan based on their own personal physical abilities, training, and mindset.  Sometimes their plan of choice is a gun, sometimes a pepper spray, sometimes a hands-on self defense class, but WHATEVER they choose, I support them in their decision and do whatever’s in my power to encourage them to take their training seriously and prepare for an event that we honestly hope will never occur.

I believe that your mindset is your #1 survival tool and if that’s not in the fight then no tool you are carrying will be effective against attack.

I’d like to invite you to one of my trainings so you can see that the best defense is an educated, conscientious individual that trusts their own instincts and makes a personal plan that fits in their abilities and lifestyle.

Thank you for your time,

Andrea “Andy” Tolbert

cc: Neil Brown

Facebook.com:  @SaferAgent, @FemmeDefenses, @StrongDefenses