Duty Weapon At the Docs Office. (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/16/2024 8:16:28 AM EDT
|
So had to drop by my docs office for a quick visit. Was wearing my everyday duty attire; work pants, t-shirt, badge prominently displayed, agency ID displayed, ball cap with Sheriff's star. Checked in, the very nice lady helping me said "you can't wear your gun in here". I thought maybe because of the counter she didn't see my ID, to be fair, I was walking away. I explained I was law enforcement. I was polite and so was she. She continued that "I was told even law enforcement". I returned my weapon and ID to the car because I really needed to see the doc. The docs office is part of the local private university's quite large health care conglomerate. I am fairly certain they allow their company police officers on site while armed. Thoughts? |
|
It's their policy. I was polite and courteous (I am representing my Sheriff) and put my weapon, badge, and ID back in my patrol car. However, I am not the first. They have turned away uniformed deputies. As I have talked to my peers, apparently this is an ongoing issue. |
|
Even professions are governed by supply and demand, although it depends on location and specialty. Follow the rules, and when you are finished with the visit, say I like you personally and am satisfied with the care, but I can't accept this rule. I will tell you where to send my records. Every professional has a "book." Your value to your practice, or to a potential new association, is based in part upon your book of business. |
|
It sucks, they suck, is private property and there are only a few instances where they cannot stop you from entering at their will and this wasn't one of them. They hate guns and I bet they hate cops too. Take business elsewhere as soon as you can. At least they are consistent though |
| Went to see my doc a few years ago and ended up needing to get a shot. Thought I was going to get it in the arm. When the nurse came in to give me the shot she said drop your pants. I told her I could not because I had a gun. She said it was no problem and said half the staff was packing. |
|
All legally owned and carried handguns are welcome in my office, regardless of on duty, off duty, or not even a peace officer. And the illegal ones, well, I suppose I'll never know. |
A chance to cut is a chance to cure
Life Member: AR15.com, NRA, NYSRPA, SAF
Team Ranstad
VCDL
Callsign: Sawbones
Life Member: AR15.com, NRA, NYSRPA, SAF
Team Ranstad
VCDL
Callsign: Sawbones
|
Originally Posted By bluedog82: If I’m going someplace like that because they called, and it’s some kind of call for service, I’m keeping it on me. If I’m going because I need something, I’d probably do what you did. This is where police chiefs Md set heads talk to drs and hospital administrators and say if we cannot bring service weapons in, does that mean that next time you have an unruly patient, robbery, etc. we cannot come in? |
VCDL Member
NRA Life Member
NRA Life Member
|
We occasionally have to arrest suspects at the hospitals that are either patients or employees Several encounters with staff telling me I can’t come into an area or can’t carry a gun in the hospital. I always try to be polite and educate them on the authority of a signed arrest warrant for Murder. Most aqueous but I’ve had to say more than once that if you get in my way you’ll be getting in the wagon with them. Interesting what authority some people believe they have. I make every effort to not burn bridges (because we will eventually return for another case) but some people dig their heels in. I’ve had the same issues at UPS, FedEx and other companies |
Speed, Surprise, Violence of Action
|
Originally Posted By -Obsessed-: I had no idea businesses could turn away uniformed police. Crazy. I had a Walmart employee refuse to sell me a box of pistol ammo in uniform. I asked her why and she gave me three different answers: She thought I would hurt someone, she didn't believe in guns and she didn't have to.  Okay. I found a manager and told him that. He was as as I was, took me to sporting goods and sold me the ammo while the employee stood there bursting with pride. You could tell she was hoping that I or the manager would berate her.Whatev. I left and never went back. People have all kinds of weird notions and head spaces, and entertaining them doesn't entertain me. When you're in uniform, you only know who you are. Everyone else knows who they are and who you are, and lots of people walk around with snakes in their heads. |
| Was asked to perform a breath alcohol on a policeman working as transit security on his own time. He was reported by bus driver for showing classic signs of intoxication, and his transit boss was concerned. I asked that he remove and secure his service weapon, but he was reluctant and belligerent. Eventually I called his police sergeant and had him come and secure it. Policeman blew a 0.14 and sergeant took him away. Things happen. |
| Since beginning to carry every day I cannot recall a single instance where I've been in a business of any type and not been packing. Hospitals are one of the worst places for run ins with crazy people. To think they would disarm an officer is insane. |
|
As a non uniformed Fed, I have carried every day for over 25 years. Concealed means concealed.If you aren't in full police uniform, keep it under cover. You aren’t impressing anyone carrying it open with your badge around your neck. Unless I have to walk through a metal detector, or get wanded by security, then no one knows. If that happens, I step to the side and ask to speak to a supervisor. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever had an issue. When I go to the dr office, if I need to take off my shirt and pants, I will take off my pants with my gun still on the belt, then roll it up in the pants.Never had an issue with the doc or any nurses. |
|
Originally Posted By REAPER2502: It's their policy. I was polite and courteous (I am representing my Sheriff) and put my weapon, badge, and ID back in my patrol car. However, I am not the first. They have turned away uniformed deputies. As I have talked to my peers, apparently this is an ongoing issue. We had a similar problem. Same organization you speak of. We told them if our officers weren’t welcome on their property then theirs weren’t welcome to use our training facilities. Problem solved. We have had to threaten to arrest their officers trying to prevent warrant service and interfering with crime scenes. Most of their guys are ok but they have some retired NYPD guys who need some attitude adjustment in the Dirty South. The property is in your jurisdiction. State law is pretty clear. Never would’ve happened with prior Sheriff’s but the current one is weak. Edited to remove too much info. |
|
Generally speaking I will not accept the claims of random counter chix, and will ask (politely) for someone with authority to clarify. Polite escalation will often solve these issues. eta: I'm not a cop and didn't see what forum this is. My suggestion stands, but it sounds like this is a known issue with this entity. |
|
Originally Posted By REAPER2502: It's their policy. I was polite and courteous (I am representing my Sheriff) and put my weapon, badge, and ID back in my patrol car. However, I am not the first. They have turned away uniformed deputies. As I have talked to my peers, apparently this is an ongoing issue. Are there other medical alternatives in your area, or is this someone you're stuck seeing due to being a specialist In the end, as others have said, it's their house their rules Many doctors are hardcore antis who will always default to thinking that all guns are bad Usually if I think that I'm going to face that restriction I simply carry one of the smaller guns in the safe that day and say nothing about it. My 642 or smaller. |
*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*
0110001101101100011010010110001101101011
0110001101101100011010010110001101101011
|
Private property rights should trump the 2A. That said, I’m willing to bet that a large university medical system is taking public money like a mother fucker. The argument could easily be made that if you take public money to buy and build that facility, it’s not really private anymore since you and I helped pay for it. |
What is a democrat? Someone who wants everything you have, except for your job.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers so we could see their corporate sponsors.
|
Originally Posted By wvfarrier: Wow. I habe never heard of a LEO being told such a thing. Heck, here most businesses like it I had a similar issue with a hospital in Seattle that didn't like our officers armed while escorting inmates there for med trips, contract verbiage and agency policy prevailed. |
|
FWIW, I think you handled it correctly. If in fact this is an organizational policy I'd be hard pressed to return there for personal support. If they insist on disarmed police no matter what brings an officer/deputy to the location (service call) that shit needs to get fixed. When I learn that a company doesn't like me, or what I do, believe, etc, I do my best not to spend my money there. |
“So, never give up. Continue to fight. You’ll either find a win here and there, or you’ll die fighting. I can accept either of those out comes”- March 31st, 2020 - Until Valhalla
|
I've run into this. TN state law is a little muddy about full-time police on school property for personal business. If I was on the clock, NFW would I remove my firearm (and never did, including being inside hospitals with hospital police). I would try to talk to your doctor directly (not leaving vm or notes that can 'disappear'.) He may not even know, or care, or he may have his hands tied. Otherwise, in that case, I would have left, and let the Sheriff solve it. If he doesn't, that's also an answer. I am a vet of multiple interdepartmental / equity wars. No one wins, and little people usually get squished. One of my Sheriffs immediately revoked the bond cards of a hospital department over this. Another told the guy to just never go back there, which made it hard for him because of the specialty. On the other hand, I have also worked armed security and had to go toe to toe with local law enforcement trying to do absolutely stupid shit off duty. (Officers on duty... occasionally there too. (shrugs) Too much testosterone some days, females included). The only thing that has kept me out of cuffs is knowing what the state laws and guard regulations are, word for word. What does your state code say you can do? |
| If they are a University health care setting, with a University Police Department, please check with the police for the policy. Our local State University firearm policy had an exemption for local, state, and federal officers including retired. The University Police Chief wrote the policy with the idea that no one with a badge was being disarmed. Even inquiring with the Chief may open the door for them to revise that policy. |
| If it’s within your jurisdiction you absolutely are allowed to, though they may claim you aren’t. Unless your agency has a specific policy to prevent it (which I’ve never heard of, though such a thing could exist). The only caveat is federal property. I just wouldn’t go back there if it were me. |
Joined:
Apr 2024
Posts:
1742
EE: 0% (0)
MS, USA
|
Originally Posted By Neogirevik1: Health care people are sheep and afraid of guns in general. I use a Vertx bag and carry a gun/mags/light/blade/med gear for Dr appointments. Awfully broad stroke you are painting all healthcare workers with. Kinda like if I said all law enforcement has a chip on their shoulder and think civilians must "Respect my authoritah!" or else. I have never had a coworker ever say anything about law enforcement carrying their weapon when in the hospital. I have never even thought about it. We even have some security staff that carry. |
You found it offensive?
I found it funny.
That’s why I’m happier than you. – Ricky Gervais
I found it funny.
That’s why I’m happier than you. – Ricky Gervais
|
Originally Posted By blupupher: Awfully broad stroke you are painting all healthcare workers with. Kinda like if I said all law enforcement has a chip on their shoulder and think civilians must "Respect my authoritah!" or else. I have never had a coworker ever say anything about law enforcement carrying their weapon when in the hospital. I have never even thought about it. We even have some security staff that carry. I second that. When I was charge nurse of Inpatient psych, there was a big pearl clutching issue regarding what to do if we needed PD assistance or if someone was transferring from our care into custody and how to handle the scary gun toters. 3/4 of us were fine and I was probably most educated on how hard it is to get a duty weapon out of someone else's L3 holster if you don't know exactly what you are doing. It was really a handful of administrators driving policies that sought to avoid any and all potential avenues for hospital liability and bad press. |
