TransportJockey
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Hmm... usually if we're responding to a GSW, PD is dispatched before we are. I've yet to get to a scene like that w/ no PD. I guess I really don't know.
Scene Safety
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Hmm... usually if we're responding to a GSW, PD is dispatched before we are. I've yet to get to a scene like that w/ no PD. I guess I really don't know.
AJ Hidell
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Do not EVER take that for granted. The most unsafe scenes are the ones you think are safe. If you haven't gone on a violent incident that was not dispatched as a violent incident yet, then you just haven't been around very long.
reaper
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Unlikely unless they have a hair trigger on it. Yes, you have to be careful. If it happens to be a crime scene, then picking up by the guard keeps from smudging prints that may be on the grip or frame.
TransportJockey
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I'll remember that, especially since I start internship on Tuesday in the worst part of town. And I'll be the first to admit, I haven't been around for very long. Just over a year licensed in fact
mycrofft
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Two factors, prudence and company policy
Easy one first. If the company says "no", then if you do it you risk the consequences. Ditto if LE has that policy. (Sidebar: ok, you just picked up the weapon and the cops roll up and see you with the piece....).
Prudence...truly and unequiviocally, how likely is it that the weapon (of any variety, not just firearms) is going to pose you a risk? If you are under threat of it being turned on you, boogey out of there. If there are incompetent people (including kids) milling around, maybe move it. If it is on the pt, defintely needs taking away (do you take the time during your head to toe to remember to recognize a weapon of any sort?).
Most firearms will not discharge if you drop them despite the cartoons. There are negligent discharges (didn't mean to), mistaken discharges (shot at the wrong thing, at the wrong time, or with the wrong backdrop), and all others are dangerous discharges. "Friendly fire" is a misnomer.
Smooth metal is where prints will be found, knurled or checkered surfaces might yield a partial crude faint palm print, and you look for trace tissue, blood or epithelials around the fore sight, hammer, and posterior end of the slide. Playing with the magazine and rounds can destroy fingerprints.
Easy one first. If the company says "no", then if you do it you risk the consequences. Ditto if LE has that policy. (Sidebar: ok, you just picked up the weapon and the cops roll up and see you with the piece....).
Prudence...truly and unequiviocally, how likely is it that the weapon (of any variety, not just firearms) is going to pose you a risk? If you are under threat of it being turned on you, boogey out of there. If there are incompetent people (including kids) milling around, maybe move it. If it is on the pt, defintely needs taking away (do you take the time during your head to toe to remember to recognize a weapon of any sort?).
Most firearms will not discharge if you drop them despite the cartoons. There are negligent discharges (didn't mean to), mistaken discharges (shot at the wrong thing, at the wrong time, or with the wrong backdrop), and all others are dangerous discharges. "Friendly fire" is a misnomer.
Smooth metal is where prints will be found, knurled or checkered surfaces might yield a partial crude faint palm print, and you look for trace tissue, blood or epithelials around the fore sight, hammer, and posterior end of the slide. Playing with the magazine and rounds can destroy fingerprints.
JP, I've posted it somewhere here before. One and only GSW I've responded to came out as an "unknown medical" with notes stating "man down in street not moving." PD was NOT dispatched, and I was first on. Do NOT EVER assume PD will be on scene first of a GSW.
OP
OP
Scriptor
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Seems like it's a tactical decision then... I guess it could require some attention during scene size up. Like one said, the MVA with the individual carrying, I'd disarm and keep aside in a bag for PD. If it's on the counter in a home where a man has just coded, I'd let PD know about it just in case, make sure no one is around that could turn it into a dangerous instrument, and remember to not turn my back on it. All in all, PT care is number two to my safety and the safety of my partner.
emtfarva
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yep. I was once told about an crew that saw a guy get beaten kinda like American History X. They were first on, they waited in their truck until PD showed. The scene is not safe if you walk up to a Pt and see a firearm. Stand back and let PD make the scene safe. I don't care if it takes an hour for LEO to show up.
JPINFV
Gadfly
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Hot damn, I guess that every call to a household that keeps fire arms should require a police escort then. After all, you never know when someone is going to run over and load a gun from the gun case in the other room. What about knives? Hell, someone could run in at any time with a knife from the kitchen. Damn it. I guess we need police then too.
Yes, you can't predict the future, but you can't sit here and make up "What if...?" scenarios either.
JPINFV
Gadfly
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Better than a premature discharge.
Sasha
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Or an abnormal discharge.
JPINFV
Gadfly
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So you get called out for ALOC. You arrive on scene and get led to the bedroom where the patient is. In the corner of the room you see a gun case with 2 shot guns, 2 rifles, and an assortment of pistols. Do you now run out and call police?
emtfarva
Forum Captain
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no. only if you are in the street, and find a gun on the ground
AJ Hidell
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That's a visual I didn't need!
I would think to put down some kind of barrier to remind you the gun is there, and don't let anyone get close to the barrier.