People ask so...accident - gun - ER :-(
Well, we had a great time at the range today...the ride home however stunk.
People often ask how things are handled when you get injured and are transported to the ER when you are carrying and guns arent allowed in hospitals. Unfortunately, I can now tell you my experience. Fortunately, it seems to have turned out...OK. Prognosis and getting gun back...both unknown at this time. *sigh*
Basically, someone ran a red light and we hit them. I was passenger. Driver had airbag, passenger, no.
Driver had 3 guns (one loaded), I had my EDC that I had been shooting, loaded. Both have current WA St CPLs.
Firemen were first on scene. EMTs took a long time, cops even longer. Friend tells firemen that we have guns in the car. Nobody cared.
Friend is transported first. I have already given statement to police, still waiting for transport. I do not mention the gun in my purse.
In ambulance I was waiting to leave for hospital to tell EMTs that I have gun. Unfortunately, cop sees 5.11 purse/bag and asks me directly. (I'm strapped head to toe on backboard, C-collar, the works). I was hoping it wasnt the cop but I couldnt actually see him. To obey the law (respond if asked), I said yes, my loaded firearm is in there. No one seemed to care much in the ambulance, including cop, and no one even asked if I had a CPL except an EMT later, in conversation.
Cop was nice and said...mostly to reassure me that gun would be safe in his care....that he would be happy to take it to the police station and put it in evidence (?) and I could pick it up any time. I specifically asked what I needed to get it back...he just said show up and show ID, no hassles. I said thank you. I do not know if he would have insisted on taking it if I said no. He liked the bag and the holster and asked if it (holster) came out. I said yeah, velcro. He said great and took the whole thing out.---Oh yes, somewhere in all this, someone asked me if the safety was on (l guess they think all guns have safeties)---I said yes as my gun does and it was----I made sure that he had my name correct and that was it.
Friend's experience: told EMTs in ambulance, she's not on gurney. Told security as she entered hospital (or EMTs did)...she and I had already reminded each other that we could not take them into the hospital legally). Security logged her 3 guns and took them.
Later while we were waiting for her to be discharged, security guard stopped by and chatted. Guns were fine, no big deal, just come and sign for them on way out. And that's what they did. Quick and easy, altho 2 younger security guards present didnt handle it as casually as the older one who initially secured them.
Overall:
Guns were non-issue with everyone we encountered (that was aware).
My Xray tech also commented on my 5.11 purse and asked about guns...had nice conversation about our weapons.
This was their first experience with knowingly transporting someone with a gun as far as my EMTs knew (except gunshot cases). They really didnt know the laws pertaining to carry in hospitals. They also were not concerned and a little curious about my friend and I. Firemen also didnt care.
Seemed to be pretty uncommon for the cop too but he was very nonchalant. I was very relieved by the fact that no one really attempted to handle my weapon, safety on or not. It seemed obvious the EMTs had little experience with a loaded weapon. I was glad that the cop took it in it's holster for the same reason. (S&W fullsize 9mm M&P)
Here is the most upsetting part: during rush hour, (we were in the slow lane, accident occurred in intersection) in Everett, WA, not one single person stopped to see if we were ok (and cars were steaming and I had to fight my way out of the vehicle when the door wouldnt open more than about 8 inches....glass & car parts everywhere...) Not one car stopped, not one person came to see if we were ok. They all just continued to drive around us.
No one from the other vehicle came to see if we were injured. Apparently they were not...when I finally exited our vehicle, I called 911 and I went over to see if they were ok. (2 occupants had already left the scene to call 911) According to them, they were all ok.
I'm glad this didnt occur to me until much later, after the initial trauma. I find it appalling even now.
Anyway: my lesson:....if I could redo it...or do it the way I tried to...I would do it the way my friend did. I would tell the staff *at the hospital* that I had my gun, not the cop. If I had been able to do so, I would have my (one and only) EDC gun back now. Like my friend does.
But I didnt have the option since directly asked (and boy, I tried to avoid it!), I am currently unarmed. (Friend offered me one of hers but as I am pretty unfamiliar with a .38 special, I didnt think it was a great idea). Hopefully I'll be able to go down and pick it up tomorrow.
