Are handguns allowed at work?

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Someone did this at my job...they were promptly fired the next day. We even have a sign that says "No firearms or any type of weapon allowed inside facility" on every entrance.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

You forgot to add holster. Are you aware of the qualifications necessary to carry?[/quote

Since I am licensed to carry a concealed weapon in over 10 states I will answer....yes. The absurdity of a nurse on duty in scrubs with a holster is...well.

I don't have the words...

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I don't trust this person since I've seen her lose her temper frequently. She screams and yells and makes sure everyone knows that she's angry. She's a control-freak, a textbook narcissist, a brown noser, and a workplace bully. I obviously don't think very highly if her, but I would feel awful if I was responsible for her losing her job. But what if something bad did happen with the gun? I couldn't live with myself knowing that I could have done something to prevent it.

Only you know that answer. Make up your mind to report the gun, or forget about it.

Your report will remain anonymous. You will not be singled out, she could assume the reps reported it.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Thank you so much for reminding us of the NRA's favorite talking point. Too bad it's not true. According to the recent massive FBI report on mass shootings in the US:

■■ In 21 incidents (13.1%), the situation ended after unarmed citizens safely and successfully

restrained the shooter. In 2 of those incidents, 3 off-duty law enforcement

officers were present and assisted.

■■ Of note, 11 of the incidents involved unarmed principals, teachers, other school

staff and students who confronted shooters to end the threat (9 of those shooters

were students).

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents/pdfs/a-study-of-active-shooter-incidents-in-the-u.s.-between-2000-and-2013

I will happily grant you that 13.1% isn't a huge number; but it does mean that "a good guy with a gun" is not "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun." That number is also much better than the "armed citizen" number (a measly 3.1%, and only one of those incidents involved a regular citizen who was armed; the rest were armed security guards):

■■ In 5 incidents (3.1%), the shooting ended after armed individuals who were not law

enforcement personnel exchanged gunfire with the shooters. In these incidents, 3 shooters were killed, 1 was wounded, and 1 committed suicide.

■■ The individuals involved in these shootings included a citizen with a valid firearms

permit and armed security guards at a church, an airline counter, a federally

managed museum, and a school board meeting.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents/pdfs/a-study-of-active-shooter-incidents-in-the-u.s.-between-2000-and-2013

Personally, I am not interested in being a hero. I am interested in self preservation.

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

Are you anticipating a gun fight fight when you bring your gun to work at the hospital? I a not starting an argument but there is no place that at a medical facility. Just saying.

Having worked at a trauma center in Wichita, KS, in the early 90s, I've been around for 2 such incidents. Regardless of my environment, I will walk away from trouble at every opportunity. Regardless of the trouble, I will walk away.

To the OP: I would say the co-worker was very foolish, and I would have an issue with the behavior as well.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Someone did this at my job...they were promptly fired the next day. We even have a sign that says "No firearms or any type of weapon allowed inside facility" on every entrance.

OOOH a sign!

"Sign Sign everywhere a sign

Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind

Do this, don't do that, cant you read the sign!"

When it comes to my weapon.. and my license to carry it.. I can't read that sign.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Thank you so much for reminding us of the NRA's favorite talking point. Too bad it's not true. According to the recent massive FBI report on mass shootings in the US:

■■ In 21 incidents (13.1%), the situation ended after unarmed citizens safely and successfully

restrained the shooter. In 2 of those incidents, 3 off-duty law enforcement

officers were present and assisted.

■■ Of note, 11 of the incidents involved unarmed principals, teachers, other school

staff and students who confronted shooters to end the threat (9 of those shooters

were students).

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents/pdfs/a-study-of-active-shooter-incidents-in-the-u.s.-between-2000-and-2013

I will happily grant you that 13.1% isn't a huge number; but it does mean that "a good guy with a gun" is not "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun." That number is also much better than the "armed citizen" number (a measly 3.1%, and only one of those incidents involved a regular citizen who was armed; the rest were armed security guards):

■■ In 5 incidents (3.1%), the shooting ended after armed individuals who were not law

enforcement personnel exchanged gunfire with the shooters. In these incidents, 3 shooters were killed, 1 was wounded, and 1 committed suicide.

■■ The individuals involved in these shootings included a citizen with a valid firearms

permit and armed security guards at a church, an airline counter, a federally

managed museum, and a school board meeting.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents/pdfs/a-study-of-active-shooter-incidents-in-the-u.s.-between-2000-and-2013

Fair point. Thanks for some facts!

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

In Texas, you cannot carry in a hospital, even if you have a concealed handgun license (CHL). Notices are typically posted on the doors of the hospital. That doesn't mean people don't do it... But it isn't legal, and a CHL won't protect you if you get caught. I would check Mississippi handgun laws and see what the policies are for that state. Hospitals can have policies as well, but I don't think they can infringe upon the rights bestowed by the state. For example, my hospital says no guns on the premises, but the state allows concealed handguns to be kept in personal vehicles, so the hospital can't tell someone they can't bring their pistols in their cars and park in the lot. The state law is higher and applies. Hope that makes sense.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I work on Federal property, and they really don't care about anyone's State-issued gun carry permit.

Yep, there's a sign, and the sign in FRONT of the Federal building says it all: No weaponry, no knives, no guns allowed on these premises".

Do people still bring in concealed weapons? I imagine so....but not legally.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

What a moron. If you have a conceal license WHY SHOW OFF YOUR WEAPON AND ADVERTISE IT?!?! If they don't have a CCL then yeah, they need a good talking to and a walk out the door.

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Where choices and laws intersect, the introduction of a stimulant to action will have consequences. Some people are more willing to suffer those consequences than others.

For me, personally, I always say that my front door is locked for your protection, not mine.

Living in California provides a different set of consequences than living in Texas. I would probably not only get fired for my "show and tell" moment at work, but would probably go to jail for ten years AND get branded as the root of all evil by the local media.

Knowing this, I follow a different set of social mores than in Texas.

When it comes down to the ability of defending your own life versus depending upon someone else to do it, is a highly personal decision. You must be willing to suffer the consequences.

I think it is just plain childish to do a show and tell of your weapon at work, which makes the person who did it highly suspect in my eyes of being capable of responsible behavior.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I don't trust this person since I've seen her lose her temper frequently.

If you feel like you are in danger at work, then definitely report it… if you don't feel threatened by it, then this is an issue for whichever government entity issued a permit to carry to someone who loses her temper "frequently."