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 Hospice.
6 hours ago, Section8UpX68WM6 said:

And....here we go again:

https://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/4-dead-2-wounded-in-Southern-California-stabbings-14289103.php

Note the body count.

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I can't carry a gun, because of my own depression and also depression in my husband. But I do want to feel safe. I'm opting for a stun gun to carry. I've had a lot of scary situations in the past few weeks.

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In a combat support hospital, you better believe medics and LVNs will be packing *wink* *wink*...God, I miss locking and loading a rifle, SPORTS, function checks, cleaning and putting back a rifle together (except hand guards) and unloading a magazine or two down range. It's like playing an electric guitar. Nothing like the gun powder and carbon smell of a M-16A2 rifle or .45.

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Haven't skimmed through this topic and not a huge fan of guns, but hypothetically yes. For personal protection a small Glock G43 or G42 but I have a small hand so that is what I might carry just for my personal protection. I think its great to have your concealed carry. There are a lot of sketchy people and places

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I heard in Texas, people can carry in churches now.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 1/30/2013 at 12:10 AM, AngelfireRN said:

I never said I brandished my weapon. It's there in the event that someone carries out a threat to enter the clinic or return to the clinic armed. I don't find it unprofessional to protect myself and those I work with. In the 2 or so years I've been there, my manager asked me to bring it in one time. It stayed in my desk, in the holster, and was never brought out again after that day. This was after a threat by a former patient was made, and it was not my decision to bring it inside.

My weapon has only ever been fired at a target, on a practice range. I have never brandished it to anyone, at any time. It is in my car if I have need of it, because I drive almost an hour each way to work, through questionable areas and on back roads. I keep my certifications current, and I am well within my legal rights to keep a weapon on my person if I so choose. I choose not to.

Call it unprofessional if you want. Be embarrassed and ashamed for yourself, not for me. I never said it was used as an intimidation tactic, not once. But my boss, my OM, and our local law enforcement would tend to disagree with you.

And before you judge me, please consider this...I work in a clinic that dispenses controlled substances. We routinely dismiss patients or refuse to prescribe controls to patients that fail drug screens or fail to comply with clinic policy. I practice in a rural area, where about 90% of the general populace is armed. They bring their weapons to the clinic. Now, you tell me...given the area, given the type of clinic, and given the fact that there are usually one or more young children present ( two of them under one year of age), why on EARTH is it unprofessional of me to have a weapon in my car in the event that it might be needed?

As was said, I am within my rights, within the law, and bring the weapon inside only upon the request of my supervising physician. And those are the only entities I need to please.

I had a manager request I get mine once because the facility had no security, didn’t lock it’s doors, and had no cameras, and we had crack heads coming in off the street, sleeping in empty rooms, and in one situation one stood menacingly next to a nurse trying to chart and wouldn’t leave when she asked him to.

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Specializes in Informatics/Med Surg/Psych.

The poll was good, however it did not account for those that do not have one but do see a need. It also doesn't account for the ones that may want one soon.

1
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I don't think it is appropriate for medical personnel to carry weapons in the work environment. That being said, I also believe that hospitals/clinics must provide adequate protection of employees/patients. In a high crime area, those hospital guards better be well trained, many, and armed!?

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Why does anyone have a need to own a firearm unless its for hunting?

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34 minutes ago, HelpfulNatureHopeful said:

Why does anyone have a need to own a firearm unless its for hunting?

You need one for hunting bad guys.?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
10 hours ago, HelpfulNatureHopeful said:

Why does anyone have a need to own a firearm unless its for hunting?

Well there's the whole Zombie apocalypse thing which is of course highly controversial but the US Government under President Obama developed the plan in 2011 so it must be a real threat. Remember aim for the head!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONOP_8888

Hppy

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