Police: Realtor fired gun to scare away people being loud

[Gladiator]

This does not make gun owners look good. They charged her with a felony.

Police: Realtor fired gun to scare away people being loud | woman, police, gun - News - The Orange County Register

Published: June 16, 2011
Updated: 9:06 a.m.

Police: Realtor fired gun to scare away people being loud

By KRISTY CHU
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MISSION VIEJO – A 65-year-old Realtor has been arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm in a negligent manner after police say she fired a gunshot to scare people talking loudly near her home.

A group of eight people in their early 20s were hanging out at Lake Mission Viejo near the 22000 block of Formentor around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, police said. A woman who lives near the lake went out onto her balcony and yelled at them to be quiet.

Police said the group saw the woman return to her balcony a short time later with an object. They then heard what sounded like a gunshot and saw a flash from the gun's muzzle as it was discharged from the balcony. According to police, an individual in the group shouted up to the woman's balcony to ask if she had a gun, to which the woman responded that she did.

The group left the lake and called police to report the incident. The woman also had called police to report people being loud near the lake.

Deputies were sent to the woman's home to respond to the noise complaint and discovered she was intoxicated. The woman first told deputies she had only fired a flare gun, but later admitted to firing a gun up into the air. Deputies located a 38-caliber pistol with one spent round.

Deputies arrested Sandra K. Smith, 65, on suspicion of discharging a firearm in a negligent manner. Smith, whose occupation is listed as a Realtor on arrest records, is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

State Department of Real Estate records show a Sandra Kay Smith employed by Rainbow Realty Corp. Century 21 Rainbow Realty's website lists a Sandra Smith as a Realtor with the company, which specializes in "working with seniors in listing and selling homes."

[David2531]

And that is what makes news not the 99% of other people who responsibly owns their firearms.

[OldBaldGuy]

There's obviously some sensationalism in play; the media make their money not by educating the public but by selling ads, and ratings drive that engine, of course. In some to many instances (depending on the region and media outlet), there's anti-gun bias as well. Another major reason that the huge percentage of gun owners who don't behave like the cranky realtor don't make the news is that they're not, well, news. Just like the several thousand airline flights that didn't result in a crash today aren't news.

[mark]

she screwed up and got her reward

[Keith92555]

Originally Posted by mark

she screwed up and got her reward

^^This^^ Guns and alcohol do not mix.

Keith

[IAmASensFan]

I used to have a condo in that complex. There have been a LOT of gunshots going on in Mission Viejo lately...several audible at my current home.

[EM2]

Originally Posted by Gladiator

This does not make gun owners look good.

I disagree with statements like this as it plays into the hands of antigun folks. This is a form of predjudice which we need to counter where ever we can.
The actions of this lady do not in any way reflect upon responsible gun owners any more than a drunk driver reflects poorly on those enjoying alcohol responsibly.

[JackOfClubs]

Originally Posted by EM2

I disagree with statements like this as it plays into the hands of antigun folks. This is a form of predjudice which we need to counter where ever we can.
The actions of this lady do not in any way reflect upon responsible gun owners any more than a drunk driver reflects poorly on those enjoying alcohol responsibly.

+1. I don't see why the headline (and article) mentioned that she was a realtor. That doesn't seem to add anything to the story. I would have said some variation of "Drunk Old Lady Yells at Noisy Kids; Fires Gun in Air."

[3boyzmom]

Originally Posted by JackOfClubs

+1. I don't see why the headline (and article) mentioned that she was a realtor. That doesn't seem to add anything to the story. I would have said some variation of "Drunk Old Lady Yells at Noisy Kids; Fires Gun in Air."

Everyone likes to pick on Realtors. I agree- it adds nothing to the story.

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by 3boyzmom

Everyone likes to pick on Realtors. I agree- it adds nothing to the story.

Didn't you know realitors are help to a higher standard?

[OldBaldGuy]

Newspapers operate not under the rule of Relating Pertinent Facts, but instead follow The Way of Getting More People to Pay Attention (because that boosts circulation). Mentioning that she's a realtor may get the attention of a few more readers--other realtors, people who recently dealt with a realtor and wonder if it was her, etc. Plus, it's been well documented that many realtors have organized crime ties. Not sure about that last one; I'm basing it on a small sample size of a few people I used to know back in the 60's;-).

[tailslide]

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

Plus, it's been well documented that many realtors have organized crime ties. Not sure about that last one; I'm basing it on a small sample size of a few people I used to know back in the 60's;-).

I'm pretty sure I once heard that someone read about a guy whose friend did a study showing that 4 out of 5 old bald guys are bad drivers and smell funny.

[OldBaldGuy]

Originally Posted by tailslide

I'm pretty sure I once heard that someone read about a guy whose friend did a study showing that 4 out of 5 old bald guys are bad drivers and smell funny.

I read that study too. That's why I strive to be the other 1. I shower twice a week whether I need it or not, and I try to double the speed limit whenever possible to keep my reflexes sharp. (Just kidding on that last one, SSD CCW Unit.;-)

[Truckoholic]

Didn't you know that going "Realtor" is the new "Postal"?????

[BigJon10125]

Dumbass