LOS ANGELES  -- The husband and wife team behind HGTV's "Flip or Flop" have announced their separation six months after police were called to their home over what the couple called an "unfortunate misunderstanding."

Tarek and Christina El Moussa say in a statement that police were called out of "an abundance of caution." They say there was no violence and no charges were filed.

According to TMZ, witnesses told police that they saw Tarek grab a gun from his safe, run out the back door and flee down a hiking trail, followed by his wife, who was seen running out of the house crying and shaking. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office helicopter spotted Tarek on a trail and deputies told him to drop his weapon and he complied.

Deputies later seized five guns at the family's home, including an AR-15, TMZ reported.

The celebrity gossip site reported that Tarek told deputies he had no intention of hurting himself, and that the gun was for mountain lions and rattlesnakes.

The couple said the incident prompted them to seek counseling and they've decided to separate while evaluating the future of their marriage.

The statement says they plan to continue their professional life together.

HGTV says that it will honor any decision that works best for the couple and their children and that the home renovation series "will continue production as scheduled."

TMZ first reported the couple's separation on Monday.

-- Recent Controversy --

In Touch reported that the government has gotten involved after several customers of Tarek and Christina El Moussa's "Success Path" real estate seminar accused the program of being a scam.

Iowa resident Lori Ingersoll filed a complaint with her Attorney General's office after she claims she was suckered out of $41,297 by the company, according to the magazine.

"Our Consumer Protection Division contacted Shane Andrus with Premier Mentoring after the consumer filed a complaint," a spokesperson with the Iowa Attorney General's Office told In Touch. "After reviewing the company's contract with the consumer, we informed Mr. Andrus that it was our position that the contract did not comply with the Iowa Door-to-Door Sales Act. The company agreed to issue a refund to the consumer."

Seminar customer Wendy Sisk told In Touch that she contacted her Attorney General in Florida after paying $80,000 for the courses and remains nearly $90,000 in debt.

"They are ruining people’s lives," she told the magazine.