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 Hospital Education Coordinator.

I live in Texas and know many nurses and others with concealed guns. Not me.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
It is unfortunate you got into that position. I would take steps to make sure that it did not happen again.
Hmmm... smacks of the 'blame the victim' mentality.

It sounds like she has taken a big step to make sure that it does not happen again... providing herself with the means to defend herself.

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Specializes in Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed..
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.

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: Gun Control -- No matter what your opinion, you need to see this - YouTube

Thank you.

Wow. I just finished watching this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZo4hbGJjVI, and what a breath of fresh air. Unlike so many of the rants currently in circulation, this statement that is calm, thoughtful, free of accusations and stereotypes, and referenced to factual information. It is also emotional compelling without a hint of hysteria. Please take 5 minutes to view it.
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Specializes in Telemetry, ER.

I am licensed and keep one in my car. Workplace violence is not unheard of in the hospital setting. Where I work, we have no security, and our rural county has only 2 sheriffs deputies and 1-2 police officers on duty during the night. These officers cover a radius that would take over an hour to cross. Response times aren't that quick. I doubt I will ever have to use it during my career, but its a comfort knowing that its there, should the need arise.

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Yeah, but how many kids can someone walk into a school and kill with a knife? Or a lead pipe?
"On May 18, 1927, a part-time caretaker at a school in Bath, Michigan, killed 45 people, including 38 children, when he blew up a school and then killed himself, along with two first responders at the scene. Another 58 people were wounded." Bath School disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The deadliest mass murder of kids did not involve a gun. When someone wants to kill and wants to kill many, they will find a way. Even in 1927.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... do think our security guards need more than just billy clubs...

What security guards??? ::blackeye:

We have nothing like that on any shift!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... When I start carrying, if I feel a visitor that's been a horse's butt might come back later armed, I won't be hesitating to go to my car and carry it in... I can hear it now. "Thanks for saving lives. You know we have to fire you, right?" lol

Exactly.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... if you have a carry permit... On-duty (except in a war zone) I believe it is incompatible with the ethics of nursing.

With respect: Disagree.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
Hmmm... smacks of the 'blame the victim' mentality...

This.

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Nurses in my state succeeded in getting needed protection.

It was discussed here.

Ventura County Medical Center will pay for police officer in emergency room: https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/ventura-county-medical-584067.html

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I carry daily regardless. Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I am frustrated to live in a "May Issue" state, where each sheriff makes the rules about whether or not to issue a CCW, and I live in a county where the sheriff refuses to issue, thus, I do not carry, though I wish I could. I take evening courses, and do not feel safe walking to my car half the time. Crimes do get reported on campus. I walk to the lot with friends, but we all split off to our cars at some point. I circle my car and look in the back seat before I get in. I do the same when I walk to my car at midnight after preceptorship. I'm precepting in a unit that's low risk for crime (mother baby), but if someone wanted to kidnap an infant and yielded a gun in order to do so, I would be beyond frustrated with my inability to defend my life or my patient because the rules say I can't carry something I am well trained in using, and would only choose to use in a life-and-death situation.

I doubt that anyone here thinks that nurses CHOOSING to carry LEGALLY at work would increase violence at work, as RESPONSIBLE gun owners, the ones who are most impacted by rules and laws (since criminals ignore such things), would only use a gun if absolutely necessary, such as a conflict where someone yields a gun in the ER or takes a patient or staff member hostage or any number of other horrific possibilities. I don't believe that anyone (nurses, teachers, etc) should be forced to carry at work, but I do firmly believe that should someone choose to take on that responsibility, is willing to train properly, and go through the proper channels, they should have the option to do so.

I HAVE lived in the ghetto. We had our home blocked off by police one day when I came home as a police chase had gone through our yard. Another day the cops knocked on my door, as I'd heard a shooting two doors down. There were two other shootings within a block of my house within 10 days. I did not carry at the time, but I sure would have felt safer had I been able to. There were plenty of times I felt very unsafe, and thankfully, I do not live in that neighborhood anymore, but that doesn't guarantee my safety.

My husband and I both would like to be able to carry concealed, but as we are law-abiding citizens, we do not (though we advocate for the right to do so). My mother-in-law asked my husband why he doesn't just avoid anywhere he would think he would need it. His response: "Why would I go somewhere where I think I need my gun??" Violence doesn't happen in set places. It can happen anywhere, and that includes in our workplaces. Emotions run high in hospitals and other health care settings. When I am a midwife, I am in someone else's home, and I don't know what I am walking into. I would like to have the right to protect myself should a dangerous situation arise. I believe it is irresponsible for others to dictate my right to defend myself.

Someone mentioned evidence-based practice. Nurses will differ in opinion about any hot-button topic. Circumcision, vaccination, assisted suicide, single-payer health care, these are all topics where nurses will vary in opinion. Concealed carry in the workplace is no different. There is evidence to support both sides, but I do believe that people should be able to make these choices for themselves, assuming they are responsible about their choices.

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