[elglockeroloko30]

I would like to share what happened to me today at work and see what you guys (and gals) think and how would you proceed. I received my carrying permit last November and have carried a weapon on me preety much every time I have cloth on. I work as an emergency phycisian in a very busy E.D. and if I had to pick just one place in which i can carry legally, it woud be at work. Today I had a glock 23 in a crossbreed-like holster in my left hip(IWB), with blue jeans and a X-large scrub shirt. First, one of the clerks in a friendly gesture, put her arm around my waist and felt the gun. When she asked what was that, I told her that it was my cellphone but I dont think she fell for that. As if one incident were not enough, a few hours later,somehow the shirt lifted, staying between the gun and my inner shirt, leaving the weapon partially exposed. A nurse saw it and of course she went:"is that a gun"? Im sure that at least 3 or 4 other nurses heard her. I was like Noooo, why would i carry a gun at work? I dont think they fell for that either. The thing is that months ago I made the rookie mystake of telling one of the security guards, that i carry after an incident with the angry son of an angry patient which was very close to becoming a violent inscident. Long story short, next day my boss meet with me and warned me that I cannot carry inside the hospital. Of course more than that is needed for me to quit to my right to defend myself and I said to myself I`ll just make sure nobody konws Im carring. Know Im really worried about what will happen (if something is going to happen). What would you do?

 

[sputnik1988]

#1. Leave it at home from now on.
#2. Deny, deny, deny.
#3. Find something else to put in it's place, like a cell phone, pager, ect, ect. just in case it is brought up again. Then you can show them how they were mistaken, it was just your phone.

 

[Rick1967]

I do not carry at work. I have a high paying job. It would be difficult for me to replace that income. I make about 3 times the average income for my geographic area. If your boss tells you that you cant carry. Then he can fire you for carrying. I would imagine that could damage your career long term. It is something else to dedicate 20 years to a career just to throw it away. I would be very careful how I proceed from here. I keep a gun locked in my vehicle.

 

[elglockeroloko30]

If i decide not to carry at work, the only option is my safe at home. Leaving in the car is not an option were i live. In PR if you got a firearm stolen from your vehicle, chances are they will revoke your license.

 

[KeysKelly]

He who signs the pay check makes the rules. I hate to tell anyone this but I suggest you leave the gun at home.

Only option I can think of just brainstorming; do you have a good rapport with your boss? Do you have lockers at the hospital? Maybe you could sit down with him and tell him you carry out of fear for your safety and ask if it is OK to bring your gun to work but leave it locked in a locker. At least then you have it on your way to and from work and in and out of the building.

 

[sputnik1988]

Buy a knife, it's better than nothing. It's not worth risking your career.

 

[Dillinger]

#2. Deny, deny, deny.
#3. Find something else to put in it's place, like a cell phone, pager, ect, ect. just in case it is brought up again. Then you can show them how they were mistaken, it was just your phone.

I completely agree with items 2 and 3.

The idea of leaving a weapon home, no matter what, is the choice of the individual.

Rick has a very, VERY good point. You need to place a value on your job versus your need to carry.

For the last dozen years every company I have worked for has had a very clear, written policy in the company handbook about weapons in the workplace and how being found with a weapon in a work vehicle or on their person while ON company property, would result in immediate expulsion.

My official stance is that I never once carried a weapon while under the employment of my previous compan(y/ies). :roll eyes:

You need to make this decision yourself I am afraid. Good luck.

JD

 

[CourtJester]

#1. Leave it at home from now on.
#2. Deny, deny, deny.
#3. Find something else to put in it's place, like a cell phone, pager, ect, ect. just in case it is brought up again. Then you can show them how they were mistaken, it was just your phone.

^^^^^^
What he said. Word for word.

 

[elglockeroloko30]

He who signs the pay check makes the rules. I hate to tell anyone this but I suggest you leave the gun at home.

Only option I can think of just brainstorming; do you have a good rapport with your boss? Do you have lockers at the hospital? Maybe you could sit down with him and tell him you carry out of fear for your safety and ask if it is OK to bring your gun to work but leave it locked in a locker. At least then you have it on your way to and from work and in and out of the building.

The good news is that the guy who warned me was fired a month ago and my new boss was a friend of mine who used to work hand to hand with me before she got promoted to E.D. Director. She has always know that I carry all the time bacause her husband is one of my "range partners". Bad news is that I think that the security guard went way above my direct supervisor the first time. The thing is that Im not so wooried about loosing my job more than I am about too many people knowing that I carry a weapon. It makes me feel very uncomfortable and akward (like when somebody knows something about you that is somehow embarassing sort of feeling).

 

[sputnik1988]

The good news is that the guy who warned me was fired a month ago and my new boss was a friend of mine who used to work hand to hand with me before she got promoted to E.D. Director. She has always know that I carry all the time bacause her husband is one of my "range partners". Bad news is that I think that the security guard went way above my direct supervisor the first time. The thing is that Im not so wooried about loosing my job more than I am about too many people knowing that I carry a weapon. It makes me feel very uncomfortable and akward (like when somebody knows something about you that is somehow embarassing sort of feeling).

If you aren't worried about your employment status, far be it from me to tell you how to avoid job loss. People are going to think what they think, I couldn't care less about what people think of me because I carry. Don't let that part bother you.

 

[trip286]

Edited....

 

[Rick1967]

If i decide not to carry at work, the only option is my safe at home. Leaving in the car is not an option were i live. In PR if you got a firearm stolen from your vehicle, chances are they will revoke your license.

I have a gun vault bolted to the floor under the driver seat of my blazer. It is quite secure. And you would not notice it unless you knew it was there.

 

[elglockeroloko30]

After reading previous post I would like to clarify 2 things that could be missinterpreted. First, Im not embarassed to carry a gun. What I meant is that the feeling of people knowing that I carry (when I do not want them to know), is simmillar to the feeling of being embarassed. Does that make sense? Second It is not that my job is not important to me. It is just that I dont think I will loose my job because the thruth is nobody can search me at work (at least not legally) but it can certainly cause me a lot of headaches.

 

[mountainman13]

In my state it is illegal to even have a weapon in your car at the hospital. If your states laws are similar consider it as a government building and leave everything at home before you are arrested, fired and lose your right to carry.
Besides you surround yourself with the sick and dying as well as super bugs and nasty chemicals on a daily basis. If your safety is a concern stay the hell out of the hospital.

 

[sputnik1988]

After reading previous post I would like to clarify 2 things that could be missinterpreted. First, Im not embarassed to carry a gun. What I meant is that the feeling of people knowing that I carry (when I do not want them to know), is simmillar to the feeling of being embarassed. Does that make sense? Second It is not that my job is not important to me. It is just that I dont think I will loose my job because the thruth is nobody can search me at work (at least not legally) but it can certainly cause me a lot of headaches.

Ok, I understand what you mean.
In that case buy a smaller gun if you are sure that you want to carry. I carry a Glock 19 which is identical is size, they are not compact, regardless of what the manufacturer says. A pocket pistol in a pocket holster will be much easier to conceal.

 

[elglockeroloko30]

Sadly, the way we are leaving there is no such thing as a safe place. What Im already working on is moving to another hospital. I already work in 2 EDs at a 50/50 proportion (i mean the same amount of hours in each). The plan is to move completely to the nicer one within next 2 months!

 

[veronica]

I would still carry it but I would definately do it in a manor that theres no chance of anyone accidently seeing it. I guess its harder for guys, I at least have my purse

 

[c3shooter]

By any chance do you know another ER Doc there in PR with the first name Jorge? If so, tell the "Polite Psycho" I said Hola!- and he would be a good person to talk with.

I ran the police dept for a hospital with a busy ER/ Trauma Center, so I understand where you are coming from- BUT- their house, their rules. I WOULD see if there is a way that I could STORE my sidearm in the hospital (with security staff?) If you are in violation of house rules, and are terminated, that will go in your personnel records.

While it is easier to get a job when you are a physician than if you are a welder, it is NOT easier to get a job when you are telling prospective employers that you were fired for REPEATEDLY violating workplace rules on guns.

 

[phildenton]

He who signs the pay check makes the rules. I hate to tell anyone this but I suggest you leave the gun at home.

Only option I can think of just brainstorming; do you have a good rapport with your boss? Do you have lockers at the hospital? Maybe you could sit down with him and tell him you carry out of fear for your safety and ask if it is OK to bring your gun to work but leave it locked in a locker. At least then you have it on your way to and from work and in and out of the building.

Not sure of the laws where you're at, but in wa, you can carry in a hospital ONLY with written permission from the head administrator of the building. I recommend familiarizing yourself with the laws of your area, including federal, and see what loop holes are there, or leave it at home and pray for the best.

 

[elglockeroloko30]

By any chance do you know another ER Doc there in PR with the first name Jorge? If so, tell the "Polite Psycho" I said Hola!- and he would be a good person to talk with.

I ran the police dept for a hospital with a busy ER/ Trauma Center, so I understand where you are coming from- BUT- their house, their rules. I WOULD see if there is a way that I could STORE my sidearm in the hospital (with security staff?) If you are in violation of house rules, and are terminated, that will go in your personnel records.

While it is easier to get a job when you are a physician than if you are a welder, it is NOT easier to get a job when you are telling prospective employers that you were fired for REPEATEDLY violating workplace rules on guns.

Do you know his last name or in which area does
he works? The program director of the residency i trained is named Jorge Falcon. Also have a collegue named Jorge Lopez...