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?
Yes, what you say is true, if someone wants to legally purchase a gun from a store. However, gun shows do not require background checks to sell guns, nor does the on-line sale of guns require background checks. In fact many high powered weapons, the type that should be only used by the police or the military, are sold on-line and at gun shows. The police are "out gunned" by people who have purchased military style weapons.
Nice guesses but wrong. Licensed firearm dealers require background checks whether selling in a store, at a gun show, over the Internet, or at home. The last rifle I purchased was in a home and included a background check.
The police are not nearly outgunned, at least in the US. Police have automatic weapons, armored vehicles, helicopters, well trained snipers, canines, etc. The two killers in CA had semi-automatic rifles and pistols.
You can dig into history as much as you like - to up your argument - doesn't though exonerate today's heinous crimes like shooting strangers for no reason.
Less then 2% of criminals get their guns from gun shows.
Take a look at that 2015 article you posted. It discusses how many secondary purchases of guns which wind up in the hands of criminals could come through gun show buys. Definitive? No. But the point is that a huge loophole exists whereby almost 40% of people who cannot legally purchase a weapon can obtain one. Or two. Or however many are needed.
I actually don't see a solution to the current trend of mass shootings. Houston, we have a problem.
It doesn't matter. Freedom of religion is protected here, particularly as long as its adherents obey the law, which describes the majority of Muslims living in the US. How do you propose to get rid of Islam in the US?
Read the Bible and you will find that it, too, advocates violence, but just not against one's own tribe.
Violent, criminal acts have been committed by so called "Christians." Cases in point, the Crusades, killing of physicians who, among their other duties, also, perform abortions, and the bombing or shooting at the Planned Parenthood center in Colorado, plus other violent acts against women's services clinics.
The San Bernardino shootings were at a medical facility. It is, I fear, just a matter of time until hospitals join other gun-free zones in being sites for shooting rampages. The facility at which I work has mall cops on duty...they don't have guns. I formerly worked at a facility where security DID carry. I have considered carrying my .44 snubby at work, but yes, if discovered, I'd probably lose my job and my license. I think everyone in a hospital -- patients AND staff -- are sitting ducks. In the San Bernardino case, I disagree with those who say the killers had body armor so a handgun wouldn't have helped...you always have a better chance with a gun than without. In lieu of carrying at work, I would probably barricade myself in a pt's room and lock a bed into place in front of the door so that no one can get in.
Oh hell, I can't help myself from getting in on this. I assume most here are nurses; think for a moment upon the rule of nines for body surface, now consider you only have less than half the head in sight at any given time. Explain your Annie Oakley shooting! Or Buffalo Bill if you will.
Now remember it took 23 SWAT team members over 380 rounds to stop the San Berdoo terrorists. Still think your 6-9 shots could have made a difference?
Absolutely. I'm not going to be chasing somebody down the street. My 11 shots have an excellent job of being effective within the confines of a room. And as somebody has already pointed out, I don't need to make a head shot. Anywhere I hit is going to hurt and hurt bad, including the hematoma I create under someone's body armor, if he's even wearing any. Most of the shooters reported to be wearing body armor turn out later to be wearing tactical gear, ie, vests with lots of pockets but no magical bulletproof properties.
In any case, if I can make somebody leave the immediate premises then I have won. I will still be alive, and I probably wouldn't be if I'd just depended on the odds and wishes for a good outcome.
All of that being said, I can't imagine carrying a gun while I made rounds. All the crap I'm already carrying is enough to make my scrubs fall down. I would like to be able to store my weapon in my locker rather than leave it in the employee's parking lot though.
I am sorry but you have not spend any time studying the Kur'an but rather are repeating the propaganda you hear in the media. The fact is the Islamic societies are the most controlling, repressive, and violent societies on earth. Women and homosexuals bear the brunt of it but so it is with anyone that dares to have a divergent opinion on anything that relates to social, political or religious norms (one of the same in Islam, by the way).
In case you don't have access to real news, it is the IS that has killed thousands of Christians, sold into slavery as many and destroyed ancient Christian-founded cities that have existed for a millennium, just in a few short months. Why is it that "fellow Muslims" in the Middle East are not being advocates, love of one's neighbor, caring for others, including the poor, and peace" for the armies of "refuges" flooding into Western Europe? I speak 4 languages, have been to 28 countries and I have studied ME culture and religion in detail. The brand of Islam of the US based Muslims is a tame, quasi-apostate brand of religion. That is why when they "go home" on vacation they come back "radicalized" aka they get back in touch with the REAL Islam and see the "flawed and error of their ways as they have become seduced by the western devilish, decadent culture" (I'm quoting Farrakhan there.
I want to gauge opinions based on our CURRENT situation after the shooting yesterday in San Bernadino, CA. 
azhiker96, BSN, RN
1,130 Posts
Nice guesses but wrong. Licensed firearm dealers require background checks whether selling in a store, at a gun show, over the Internet, or at home. The last rifle I purchased was in a home and included a background check.
The police are not nearly outgunned, at least in the US. Police have automatic weapons, armored vehicles, helicopters, well trained snipers, canines, etc. The two killers in CA had semi-automatic rifles and pistols.