Concealed Carry...as a nurse?

Nurses Activism

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  1. Do you have a concealed carry license?

    • 148
      Yes, although it stays in the car/home while at work.
    • 68
      Yes, it is always on me no matter where I am.
    • 104
      No, I do not see the need.

227 members have participated

With the current news over gun control and gun rights legislation being pushed through Congress as a result of the tragedies of Aurora, CO, Newtown, CT and the others like them, the thought of concealed carry among healthcare workers has got my attention peaked. Recently, another Allnurses member started a thread (up to 22 pages presently) about what nurses can do as a result of these horrific events.

This post is not meant to reflect my personal stance on this issue, although I can inform that I am not a CCL holder (however interested), nor is it meant to be a bashing session from either side, but I am interested in seeing how many individuals have their concealed carry license, and if they carry while they are at work (and, yes I am well aware of the legal stance healthcare facilities take as being gun free zones)?

I, also, am aware of some of our members being both nurses and current/former law enforcement officers, so what is your take on this issue?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I find this thread a bit depressing considering the fact that nurses are educated to look at the world through their scientific, evidence-based glasses.

I suspect that emotions are clouding rational thinking in some cases. There is anecdotal "evidence" and cherry-picking galore present in this thread. We are all affected by cognitive biases such as confirmation bias. We favor information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.

Critical thinking entails (among other things) being aware of one's biases.

^ I agree that this issue should really be looked at logically, self reflection of one's biases, and realize that there is a problem...there are ways to get to a root cause analysis as to the WHY of such high rates of gun violence in certain areas, how and WHY social security disability is up due to gun violence, why is the push for more incarceration and recidivism, where the person is free to assault again, next time uses a gun, etc.

These may seem random, but the reality of gang culture, mental health deregulation and an historic institution of disparities has made these three random subjects be instinctually linked to one another in many areas of the country. High poverty, less health, more stress, leading to mental crises, broken homes, unhealthy coping and support systems, high risk of violence. Add the glut of guns that change hands, legally or illegally, the high chance in crises there is a higher probability to commit an act with a gun. That is a REAL process. There have been studies about suicide by homicide, the correctional system as a haven for people suffering for mental health, etc, effecting many populations in this country.

The reality is: unless we are going to look at the SURVIVORS of gun violence; like myself, the disability payments, loss of work, loss of income, stress in the family unit, adjustment to loss of control, freedom-yes loss of FREEDOM due to being shot; the right to adequate healthcare, housing, that goes along with being shot, the hundreds and thousands that cannot be in my position to recover AT ALL, THEN we can have an honest discussion on improving gun violence.

You are forced to MOURN because there is a chance that you may never walk again, lose a part of your body that was once intact, and now one legible for insurance, may lose home, not be able to finish school and be a productive system and tax payer, etc. These factors I speak of are REAL. Tax dollars go to fund a lot of these victim compensation programs, Medicare, Medicaid, and people think that people who are our of work are ...., no one stops to think and factor in people who have lost the ability to provide and contribute and are most vulnerable-the permanently underemployed and unemployed. There is an economic factor in this as well.

We need to look at all aspects of WHY.

Sometimes we do not realize the fact of how we are truly linked. If there is a system that can be tweaked, we really should take a step back and examine the morbidity AND mortality that occurs, even focus more on the morbidity, the quality of life, and how that affects that as a whole. It may sound depressing, but in reality, it is sobering. I can say I remember when LA and other gang infested areas did not have a gun violence problem as out of control as it is today to the point people have grown up ducking under tables and know at least 20-50 people who have died, people traumatized to the point that people are NUMB against that violence. I live where 1.5 people are murdered every day, more maimed, yet boast great education, health systems, and a dozen Magnet hospitals in the area, great place to live and visit, people flourish here, and people perish here as well. And life goes on-not to be harsh, more of stoicism on my part, because that's the reality. I tell people who move here from outside of my city, that some places you are stuck in the middle, most places, not so much or not at all. Then they relax, lol. Honest enlightenment is a beautiful thing :)

I wonder if the public is willing to take a step back and think, could it be better???

Perhaps...but how???

That's where we all come in.

Interesting when "God" is brought into the discussion? If you truly read the bible, there isn't much room for freedom...lots of slavery and the subjugation of women...oh yeah and lots of killing in the name of thou' shalt not kill?! Curious

Pretty obvious, the citizenry had no AR"s. Do U know what AR as it relates to guns mean ?

Specializes in Emergency.
Pretty obvious, the citizenry had no AR"s. Do U know what AR as it relates to guns mean ?

Well you could go with "Armalite" or "Assault rifle" or simply "Acutely ridiculous."

Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

This legal immigrant provides a very clear explanation of the 2nd Amendment plus the need for high capacity magazines. He includes historical and legal citations as part of his approximate five minutes as part of the gun control hearings:

Thank you.

Statistics show that here in Alaska we have a gun in just about every household, our rate is something like 2.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Do you want to know why we don't have many deaths compared to any other state? Because everyone knows that there is a gun behind just about every door in every house in Alaska. Plain and simple, you wouldn't break into a random house here without a 99% chance of getting shot.

Banning guns is not the issue. The issue is that there are some people that shouldn't own guns, and for your information, you also do not need a conceal carry permit here in Alaska.

Alaska is different than any other state, we all will fight to keep our guns, it is a way of life for many of us. Just because a few crazies decide to shoot people on an everyday basis in the lower 48, does not mean that Alaska will roll over on its back and let guns be striped from our hands. We are proud of our way of life, and our state.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Statistics show that here in Alaska we have a gun in just about every household, our rate is something like 2.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Do you want to know why we don't have many deaths compared to any other state?Because everyone knows that there is a gun behind just about every door in every house in Alaska. Plain and simple, you wouldn't break into a random house here without a 99% chance of getting shot.

Banning guns is not the issue. The issue is that there are some people that shouldn't own guns, and for your information, you also do not need a conceal carry permit here in Alaska.

Alaska is different than any other state, we all will fight to keep our guns, it is a way of life for many of us. Just because a few crazies decide to shoot people on an everyday basis in the lower 48, does not mean that Alaska will roll over on its back and let guns be striped from our hands. We are proud of our way of life, and our state.

Alaska actually has the most firearms deaths per 100,000 of any state, only D.C. has a higher rate of firearm deaths.

Geez, according to that chart at StateMaster.com, NY is already SAFE. ;) The only things worse than statistics are incomplete statistics (i.e., lies, damned lies, and statistics).

Note: Any web site that has a "factoid" at the top of its page prompts some deeper thought, no?

Oh, well... it's on the Internet, so it must be true.

Seriously, too many people follow the news (and comment) media and choose sides among them as though they were rooting for favorite sports teams, while not following the simple and effective advice of Mr. Thomas J. Watson... "THINK".

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Alaska actually has the most firearms deaths per 100,000 of any state, only D.C. has a higher rate of firearm deaths.

In 2011, there were 29 reported homicides in Alaska, vs. 108 in Washington, DC.

FBI â€" Table 4

The FBI / UCR data in this table does not include self-inflicted gun-related deaths, but does provide additional information.

Specializes in ED.

DC, which has a high crime rate why? They have a tough gun restriction. Chicago, high crime rate and children dying daily why? Toughest gun restriction in the US. .

As to the topic, I'd be fine with concealed carry as I already do so outside of work.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
In 2011, there were 29 reported homicides in Alaska, vs. 108 in Washington, DC.

FBI — Table 4

The FBI / UCR data in this table does not include self-inflicted gun-related deaths, but does provide additional information.

You did look at the massive population differences between Alaska and DC, right?

Specializes in Emergency.
DC, which has a high crime rate why? They have a tough gun restriction. Chicago, high crime rate and children dying daily why? Toughest gun restriction in the US. .

As to the topic, I'd be fine with concealed carry as I already do so outside of work.

This tired argument...as usual people tend to not truly understand what causes crime in the first place. Most notably poverty...that is another discussion. But...to once and for all dispel this ludicrous argument that the reason all this gun violence happens in places with tougher restrictions is a falsehood...as per your(common) premise...if more people in these areas had weapons on their person, less crime would occur...wrong! Their is already plenty of people in these areas that have weapons...gangs etc...and most of the crime is gang/drug/poverty related...it takes the scared-white guy-suburban-gated community aspect out of this equation so the argument does not work! I am happy that you and others get to feel safer carrying a gun...that also dispels your argument...especially if it is concealed carry...do you really think that a criminal intent on doing harm is going to ask if you are carrying a weapon? How many times have any of you ever actually used a weapon in self defense outside of your normal everyday paranoid fears? And for that matter unless you venture into one of these inner cities to get involved in the drug/poverty/gang phenomenon, how can you even connect that to your argument? Also I am sure you will counter by saying that criminals choose these "no-gun" zones because they know there will be less weapons...also ridiculous with the amount of people that still carry regardless of the signage and the indisputable fact that inner city gang on gang violence is a reality that still is not looked at in this country...nor are the underlying causes of the educational gap and poverty. The two arguments do not jive...sad that each day in this country some mother is losing her child in the city yet it's never discussed by the nra etc...but as soon as we have a mass attack it's all over the news...tell that to the thousands upon thousands of people immersed in poverty that lose their loved ones every day...all over this country...gun-free zone or not!

Specializes in Med-Surg.
You did look at the massive population differences between Alaska and DC, right?

Well the comparison is between Alaska as a state, and Washington DC specifically, unless I misunderstood...

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