Concealed Carry for Caregivers

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I've been a lurker for awhile, and I know that this post has been brought up 1-2 times in the last 2 years that I've been an RN. So... you grouchy old farts that would rather I'd revive an old post can just stuff a sock in it. I want to gauge opinions based on our CURRENT situation after the shooting yesterday in San Bernadino, CA.

Truth be told, One single caregiver with a concealed carry permit could have shut this couple down before they hit 14 fatalities.

I plan on getting my CC in January, but I know as an RN, should my handgun be discovered, I'll probably lose my license. It will stay in my car when I am at work. If someone wants to carry out mayhem at my workplace, we are ALL sitting ducks. It is not ok or fair. What are your thoughts?

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I live in Texas and work for a major health system here. I'm considering drafting a letter to bring up to our leadership. We've had situations on our floor that took our security 10 minutes to arrive. If someone had a gun, it could have been fatal. In light of this shooting, I do NOT feel protected at my workplace.

[AuDDoc]

Reports said the couple were carrying AR-15's and handguns and wearing body armor. A handgun round wouldn't have been too powerful against body armor. A rifle yes, but no a pistol.

Don't get me wrong I would love to make the VA a victim free zone by allowing staff to conceal carry

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

Body armour is great, but they have heads that were likely not covered. A CC with a decent aim could have stopped the massacre.

[AuDDoc]

Not sure how you train or how much you shoot, but I can tell you from personal experience in several leagues and clubs where I did tactical competition shooting, that hitting a head shot on something moving is very difficult in competition let alone when your adrenaline would be going in a life or death situation. Even the most experience CCW shooter would have difficulties making that shot.

Now I am not against CCW in healthcare settings. I am all for it, but let's be honest going up against someone wearing body armor with a rifle is going to probably be a bad day for the CCW user especially if the attackers are a pair. Now who knows these folks might have been like most other mass shooters who are cowards and lay down the second they encounter any resistance so a CCW shooter might have stopped many mass shootings. With what I've read of these folks and their shootout with the police they went there prepared to be killed so a CCW person in this shooting would have probably not had much chance.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

To the op, you said this is another thread:

Not that I am excusing her actions, but panic can make you act rashly.

That was about a sharps container, what about with a handgun?

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

Where did you find this comment? I made a similar comment on facebook or perhaps a news app a few days ago. NOTHING that should have been connected to allnurses. That is just creepy. I see your point though. Regardless, I feel more protected when I know that CC's are around me. The Bataclan incident will not happen in Texas. I think that we need to ensure that our hospitals are safe as well.

[ground]

You're right, the Bataclan tragedy could have been completely avoided if only the partying concert attendees were armed. It is a known fact that rock music and booze increase your aim.

[AlphaM]

Just what we need more idiots carrying guns. More guns does not equal safer environment, more guns equals a less safe environment. Imagine all the idiots at work you wouldn't trust with your dog now carrying. Look at some third world countries where there's more guns than food, are they safer?

[AlphaM]

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Where did you find this comment? I made a similar comment on facebook or perhaps a news app a few days ago. NOTHING that should have been connected to allnurses. That is just creepy. I see your point though. Regardless, I feel more protected when I know that CC's are around me. The Bataclan incident will not happen in Texas. I think that we need to ensure that our hospitals are safe as well.

Click on the "original" button inside the quote & it'll bring up that thread about cringeworthy something or other. It's an AN thread, nothing creepy.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Body armour is great, but they have heads that were likely not covered. A CC with a decent aim could have stopped the massacre.

A head shot in a crowd of panicky people, trying to hit a moving target while also trying to remain calm as you're being fired upon? Good luck with that. The answer to gun violence isn't for everyone and their brother to carry a gun.