Should EMS providers carry weapons on the job?
http://www.jems.com/poll/2010/should-ems-providers-carry-wea
Make your feelings known - hit it!
I see no link to vote.
Ok, the 1st link was poll resualts. The second one i could vote on.
Nothing would require an EM to carry a gun anymore than any other citizen should be, but it should be an option - of their choosing.
There are times and places where tasers just are not effective
Not they should save lives, not take them. Not that the bullet might exit the vehicle. Not that we are trained in controlling the patient. Not that they can call the police.
EMs should have the option to chose to be responsible for their own safety - who else is?
We just recently posted an Alabama AG opinion at alabamaopencarry.com that finds that city employees may not be barred from carrying by the city. So, if an EMS works directly for the city, he may carry just as other citizens may. If he works for a private company, that company may set its policies.
The private company is free to restrict carry, and a potential employee is free to accept employment from the private company or not. That's Liberty.
That being said, from a moral, not a legal, standpoint. EMS who want to carry should be allowed to do so. It would be reasonable for employers to require training since they are potentially liable for an EMS injuring or killing someone with that firearm while on duty.
snip....
I assume that the EMS persons ARE "people" as describe in 2nd Amendment of US Constitution Bill of Rights....
Yep, I can't find a "legal" reason to INFRINGE upon this fundamental right!
Where an EMS entity is a private business, their vehicles are private property and the person an employee (incl volunteers) a different understanding and interplay of "rights" is required.
Many (all?) states have laws permitting work place rules for employee conduct.
Gun owners would IMHO need to be a class of protected individuals for this to have the over-riding effect.
Where an EMS entity is a private business, their vehicles are private property and the person an employee (incl volunteers) a different understanding and interplay of "rights" is required.
Many (all?) states have laws permitting work place rules for employee conduct.
Gun owners would IMHO need to be a class of protected individuals for this to have the over-riding effect.
Of course they should. Although this is an instance that I would recommend CC rather than OC ... tough to do their very focused and difficult job while maintaining the situational awareness required to protect against their sidearm.