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 ICU-my whole life!!.

Sounds like moving to a different state might make your day...

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Sounds like moving to a different state might make your day...

Actually, RunBabyRun won't have to move if things work out the way they have so far. Self defense was (just last month) ruled by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to be sufficient "good cause" for purposes of CCW issuance. This ruling isn't final yet as there are some procedural things that must be done first. However, unless something changes relatively soon, there will be some BIG changes in store for California, Hawaii, and US Territories that fall within the 9th Circuit. This is going to be a big deal soon... if it gets to the Supreme Court.

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Specializes in ICU-my whole life!!.

Right on!!! Everyone shall have a gun! Weapons do not kill. People do!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Right on!!! Everyone shall have a gun! Weapons do not kill. People do!

My take on this is not so much that everyone shall have a gun, but the generally law-abiding people should have a choice whether or not they want one, along with all the responsibilities that go along with gun ownership. As a responsible gun owner, I would never force someone into gun ownership. Owning weapons is something that is deeply personal and each individual that decides to own a weapon has to come to this decision on their own.

I'm also not going to ridicule non-gun owners for their educated decision to not own firearms. I'm actually happy to defend their right not to! Some people are very emotional about the subject and tend to "knee-jerk" to things they see on TV or hear on the radio, and many times they have a perception of increasing violent crime rates using firearms when the opposite is the case. I will certainly challenge assumptions, but not the decision itself.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Actually, RunBabyRun won't have to move if things work out the way they have so far. Self defense was (just last month) ruled by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to be sufficient "good cause" for purposes of CCW issuance. This ruling isn't final yet as there are some procedural things that must be done first. However, unless something changes relatively soon, there will be some BIG changes in store for California, Hawaii, and US Territories that fall within the 9th Circuit. This is going to be a big deal soon... if it gets to the Supreme Court.

Sadly, this case is being reheard, so everything is on pause once again. Those of us who advocate for legal concealed carry in CA are on pins and needles waiting for the new ruling.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Department | License to Carry a Concealed Weapon

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Sounds like moving to a different state might make your day...

Believe me, my husband has mentioned it more than once! Hopefully this court ruling will rule in our favor and allow for those of us who choose to abide by the law to make our own choices about concealed carry.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Sadly, this case is being reheard, so everything is on pause once again. Those of us who advocate for legal concealed carry in CA are on pins and needles waiting for the new ruling.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Department | License to Carry a Concealed Weapon

The 3 judge panel has not actually decided to re-hear the case, nor has the 9th Circuit decided to hear the case en banc. They're weighing 2 things: whether to allow the Attorney General to substitute as appellee and whether she has standing to request an en banc hearing, if they allow her to substitute. There is a stay in place, but that particular stay doesn't appear to also stay the case for purposes of allowing the circuit court to take the case en banc themselves. Responses are due on some motions within 21 days. There shouldn't be a long wait.

In any event, this specific topic is best discussed on forums that have subject matter experts on this stuff, not here.

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I've had a CCW for 14 years and will carry as an RN (once I'm through school). Just because I know how to help save lives does not mean I have to lay my life down without a fight-

I also vehemently respect others that choose not to carry, and see just as many people sleep soundly without a CCW as do with.

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Specializes in ER.

Im a conceal carrier. I carry everywhere I go. I work in an ER and my hospital has a no weapon policy but I carry in an ankle holster and have for years. We have security but they do not have weapons and we occasionally have sheriff deputies doing security. Nobody has ever seen it and I hope I never had to use it but if I do just like outside of the hospital it will only be in a situation where my life or one of my family or co workers lives are in danger.

The best defense is situational awareness and conflict avoidance but if that doesnt work then as a last resort I will use it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Im a conceal carrier. I carry everywhere I go. I work in an ER and my hospital has a no weapon policy but I carry in an ankle holster and have for years. We have security but they do not have weapons and we occasionally have sheriff deputies doing security. Nobody has ever seen it and I hope I never had to use it but if I do just like outside of the hospital it will only be in a situation where my life or one of my family or co workers lives are in danger.

The best defense is situational awareness and conflict avoidance but if that doesnt work then as a last resort I will use it.

I often concealed carry as well, but never at work since statistically that concealed firearm is for more likely to be used for harm rather than to protect people from harm. It's the same reason why prison guards aren't armed. I think the best way to protect the right to concealed carry is to do so responsibly, concealed carry in a hospital only strengthens the argument for far more restrictive measures against carrying firearms.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

@Muno -- Please expand on the reasoning that cc in a hospital is far "more likely to be used for harm."

Thank you.

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Specializes in Hospice.
@Muno -- Please expand on the reasoning that cc in a hospital is far "more likely to be used for harm."

Thank you.

Your question is a good one and has been addressed in some depth in this thread. May I suggest you read it?

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