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If it is purely defensive, as every gun use should be, then why not? How is it any different than any other defensive gun use?Are we willing to accept the consequences of an EMS provider having to shoot and possibly kill the person they were called to help?
That is a very real consequence. Almost as real as an EMS provider being shot in the line of duty. And while some will say that never happens:Are we willing to accept the consequences of an EMS provider having to shoot and possibly kill the person they were called to help?
I've never been a cop, so please explain. I would imagine a cop has to pay attention to the details of their surroundings, watch for everyone who may try to hurt you, identify evidence at a crime scene, comfort victims of crimes, document details for reports, fight with combative criminals, chase after fleeing bad guys, perform CPR on granny who won't wake up before the ambulance arrives, investigate an open residential door, not knowing if the person inside wants to shoot you... or knocking on a front door, without knowing who is behind the door. That's a lot to think about, especially since many cops work solo; at least on most ambulances, you have a partner who is always with you.One thing that is often forgotten in these discussions is the security of your weapon. Having done both, the mental focus when wearing my cop uniform is completely different from when I'm working as a medic on an EMS run.
I think it would be VERY difficult to focus and process patient assessment and care while maintaining full awareness and retention of your weapon. Remember, you are bringing a gun into every scene and it is YOUR responsibility to make sure it stays in the hands of the good guys.
It isn't an argument; it is a discussion. And why is this topic any less worthy of discussion than any other?I think this argument is pointless... and can’t be won. Simply pointless. Asking this question is akin to asking others about abortion or religion or dems vs GOP.
It isn't an argument; it is a discussion. And why is this topic any less worthy of discussion than any other?
You seem to be saying that just because your opinion is at odds with the opinion that others hold means that the topic should never be discussed. Is that an accurate understanding? If consensus were the metric for whether or not a discussion should take place, would there ever be any productive discussion at all?And this is pointless because my opinion is that EMS providers should not carry a firearm. You believe they should have the option. Neither one of us is going to change our mind. Pointless.
Well, I think you are wrong. I think it is an interesting discussion that, while beaten to death sometimes, does offer opportunity for evolution in understanding. Any discussion can go off the rails and I would concede that this one is probably more likely to than most, but I do not presume that the regulars on here will necessarily do that. Look at the COVID vaccine discussion. That went lots of different directions and got a little heated at points, but turned out to be a really valuable talk where folks with different viewpoints made compelling cases. @FiremanMike already made a comment on this thread that I think he is uniquely qualified to make which made me stop and think.No, I think that firearms for EMS is an extremely polarizing topic, and that nobody will change their opinion, no matter what points are presented.
This comes up in every EMS forum or group every few months and it always becomes a debate that degrades into something EMTlife won’t let me write.![]()