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 Critical Care, Education.

Wow - hot topic, right? But that's pretty much guaranteed when the discussion veers into political or religious territory.

Nothing very wise to add but just an observation. I know of many many many (etc) E.D. nurses that have CC permits. Many are now carrying tasers. I have no knowledge as to whether they have them in the workplace, but I certainly wouldn't want to step into any area Emergency dept and threaten the staff.... you'd undoubtedly be re-enacting the Alamo within seconds.

Went to lunch not long ago with a colleague who proudly showed off her 'very stylish' handbag with built in zip compartment for her handgun (which was tucked away inside). She had been the victim of a violent mugging in a remote hospital parking lot after leaving work - which resulted in a lasting motivation to protect herself. Can't say I blame her.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I am from Canada, where guns for anything other than hunting are VERY uncommon. Because of this and the general laid-back, non-violent mentality there I used to be pretty anti-gun. My opinion on that has changed quite a bit, especially since I moved to a city with a substantially higher violent crime rate. And since I became a mother. I would die, or kill with no hesitation for that little girl, if anyone were to threaten her safety.

There was recently a possibility I might get a job at an inner city hospital, night shift. When my fiance found out he started gun shopping for me. The idea of me walking to and from my car in the parking lot in the dark scared him, and he wanted me to be able to defend myself. When I asked him about getting a taser instead, he explained how you have one shot with a taser, and however many your clip will hold with a gun. Since I have terrible aim, and would also like to be able to stay safe, I agreed on the gun.

I would definitely not bring it on whatever unit I worked. I would leave it in a locked place. It would not be for use DURING work.

I just don't get, with all the threads we see on AN about violence against nurses, threats made to us by disgruntled patients and their families, etc...Why is it so crazy to want to protect ourselves?

Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

Almost everyone I know carries a gun, at least in their vehicle. I do. I would never bring it in work, but wish I could. You never know what is going to happen! Sadly, the world is a crazy place and I don't trust it.

I have been carrying before CC came about . I carry everywhere including work. I have only used my revolver once and that was to frighten a guy who attempted to rob me, he ran off.

Wanna know why there is a 2nd amendment ? Read history, the most prolific murderers in the world have always been and will always be governments. Murder by the millions, men women, and children. Read history.

To me there would be something seriously awry with a world where a nurse or a physician in a civilian setting carries a gun at work. Besides, it would weigh down my scrub pants and completely ruin my flattering attire :sarcastic: My opinion is leave the "law-enforcing" to the law enforcement officers.

Tuck a gun into scrub pants. That try to fall down under the weight of my phone. Sounds super safe!

There was recently a possibility I might get a job at an inner city hospital, night shift. When my fiance found out he started gun shopping for me. The idea of me walking to and from my car in the parking lot in the dark scared him, and he wanted me to be able to defend myself.

Safest I ever felt walking to and from a hospital parking lot was at THE inner city hospital. There's a cop every few feet there. All less likely to shoot me than I am to shoot myself or to lose my gun to someone who would then shoot me.

Almost everyone I know carries a gun, at least in their vehicle. I do. I would never bring it in work, but wish I could. You never know what is going to happen! Sadly, the world is a crazy place and I don't trust it.

I'm shocked how many people think it's safe to leave a gun in their car. Because if your car is broken into, arming the person is the thing to do?

Specializes in Med-Surg.
Tuck a gun into scrub pants. That try to fall down under the weight of my phone. Sounds super safe!

I'm sure there are some kind of holster you can buy that would be safely concealed under baggy scrubs. Someone else mentioned an ankle holster or something similar.

Safest I ever felt walking to and from a hospital parking lot was at THE inner city hospital. There's a cop every few feet there. All less likely to shoot me than I am to shoot myself or to lose my gun to someone who would then shoot me.

Well the hospital I am talking about certainly did not seem to have increased police presence when I visited. Maybe there are more at night. But either way, someone who is going to attack me is likely to have a weapon. I have a much better chance of protecting myself if I also have a weapon, even if there is a risk of them stealing it from me, than if I am completely unarmed except for my heavy purse. I just can't see myself purse-slapping someone aiming a gun or knife at me...

I'm shocked how many people think it's safe to leave a gun in their car. Because if your car is broken into, arming the person is the thing to do?

Someone who is already performing a high-risk illegal activity is unlikely to have a weapon on their person to begin with? And on that note, how many car thieves stick around and wait for the car's owner to come back so they can rob THEM?

Just my opinion I guess

I can only say that if a patient or patient's family member ever has me at gunpoint, I hope like hell one of my co-workers has broken the rules and carried his/her gun to work and that he/she is gutsy enough to pull the trigger.

I just got my CHL, and I wish I could take my gun with me to work. I'm not so worried about the happenings at the hospital while I'm working, because I feel like I work in a pretty safe unit. I do wish I could carry it with me as I'm walking to/from my car in the parking garage.

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I am from Canada, where guns for anything other than hunting are VERY uncommon. Because of this and the general laid-back, non-violent mentality there I used to be pretty anti-gun. My opinion on that has changed quite a bit, especially since I moved to a city with a substantially higher violent crime rate. And since I became a mother. I would die, or kill with no hesitation for that little girl, if anyone were to threaten her safety.

There was recently a possibility I might get a job at an inner city hospital, night shift. When my fiance found out he started gun shopping for me. The idea of me walking to and from my car in the parking lot in the dark scared him, and he wanted me to be able to defend myself. When I asked him about getting a taser instead, he explained how you have one shot with a taser, and however many your clip will hold with a gun. Since I have terrible aim, and would also like to be able to stay safe, I agreed on the gun.

I would definitely not bring it on whatever unit I worked. I would leave it in a locked place. It would not be for use DURING work.

I just don't get, with all the threads we see on AN about violence against nurses, threats made to us by disgruntled patients and their families, etc...Why is it so crazy to want to protect ourselves?

Carrying a gun for self defense is illegal in Canada so you would be in big trouble if you got caught with a loaded gun in your car.A weapons charge would cost you your license.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Right, well I am no longer in Canada. I thought that was implied with the higher crime rate comment lol. Canadian cities are not exactly known for being high crime. Atlanta however, pretty ridiculous. But thanks for the lesson in Canadian law :)

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Oh sorry, I didn't know you moved.:) Yeah I guess the crime would be pretty bad down there.

Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Atlanta...geesh. I feel for you. My cousin works in Birmingham, another works in Tuscaloosa. Metal detectors in the ERs in both hospitals.

I remember going to DCH in Tuscaloosa and being wanded in the ER. Blew my mind. That was ten years ago, before I wised up.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Yeah, I remember before I moved, that year in Montreal, it was mid-February before we had the year's first murder. I don't think I even locked my door at night. Now, in Atlanta, I think there is at least one murder mentioned in the news every day. I lock my door at all times, day or night. Ok, I know the population of Atlanta altogether is much higher, but still. A month and a half vs. every day occurrence? With that much violent crime, I definitely see why people in the South are so gun-happy!

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