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Dr.'s office and your CCW

5K views 58 replies 33 participants last post by  mrbones 
#1 ·
So I had an oops today at the Dr.'s office. Apparently a nurse or Dr saw my CCW as I was getting dressed after my procedure. I thought I was behind a curtain enough to be hidden from sight. Point being while in the waiting room the office manager comes to me and says "We respect your right to carry but, please leave it in your car next time."

Aside from the obvious asinine statement of "we respect your right but." :crazy: I now have a dilemma. I could leave it in the car however I am now unarmed and responsible if my car get stolen or broken into. We could play the what if game and one should so as to be prepared for eventualities in life.

What to do now? Do I carry a smaller less conspicuous firearm i.e.: J-frame or do I find another Dr? Not sure it's worth changing Docs. There is no sign posted not to carry at the office.

What have/would you do?

Marc
 
#2 ·
Keep on carrying.

They need your money, and can't have you arrested or anything. If they actually kick you out... then there's your answer. They don't want your business. Ask for your complete file immediately, and don't offer to pay for that day's services. Buh-Bye!

JW
 
#4 ·
Tell them you walked and there is no vehicle to leave it in. lol
 
#5 ·
My primary doctor, I don't carry in because that witch insists on weighing me every time, and I don't want the extra 3 lbs!!!

Now another DR. I go to, I just told him as he walked in the exam room I was armed, so he didn't get alarmed while probing my mid section. He was cool, said I could leave it or disarm and put it on the chair I was sitting on before getting on exam table. I chose to disarm. Turns out he is pro gun. If the primary ever gets rid of that freakin' scale, I'll find out how she stands!!!
 
#7 ·
I personally just don't carry into the doctor's office. Someone is going to see it and it just isn't worth the hassle to me. My doctor is out in the country and walking to the car isn't much of a threat.

If I were to carry into the office, I would pocket carry only and cut out all of the risks. :ninja:
 
#8 ·
It can be a catch 22.

You don't want to go unarmed. On the other hand it is their property and just about every state allow owners to ban firearms on their property.
 
#9 ·
Every time I have a checkup, some staffer is always asking me questions, to complete a questionnaire, as to whether I have guns in the home. I smile as I look at my little pack I use to keep my belongings (wallet, keys, pistol, etc) in for these special occasions, and politely say no. They keep asking though. I have 4 checks a year to monitor any possible changes that may be needed in medicines. It struck me odd though the last time I went, they even asked about reloading components and lead and if I frequented ranges. It's making me think they are conducting some sort of study or compiling data.:unsure:
 
#11 ·
It would only be out of convenience that you stayed with that Dr. Your right to carry could always mean the difference between life and death. I would find another Dr. and carry there. No reason to accommodate someone else’s insecurities when you do not reasonably have to do so. If you are leaning toward keeping the firearm in your vehicle, make sure to secure it well and assume all risk associated with that. From a personal standpoint though, I would simply find another respectable Dr. and go with that.
 
#12 ·
My Dr's Daughter is coming this weekend to take her CC Course. He's the one who told her to come to us. Oh, Her Brother is probably coming too :)

(My wife is an NRA Instructor & State Certified Handgun Instructor, we teach at our farm)
 
#13 ·
Hmmm... This thread raises a number of questions in my mind. First, if I'm planning a visit to the doctor for a physical, or any other place where I'm expecting to partially disrobe, I simply leave my gun in the safe at home. After all, "concealed means concealed ". If I'm suddenly taken ill, am involved in a motor vehicle accident, or require ambulance transport to the emergency room, conscious or unconscious, what happens then? I don't really have a plan for that. Has anyone had such an experience?
 
#14 ·
No disrespect but it must be nice to be a clairvoyant and no when your gonna get into a gunfight. Just don't go there and avoid the fight altogether.:dry: I carry because I have no idea when I'll need my gun and better safe than sorry. Hence self protection.:yes Carry all day every day.

Cheers,
Marc
 
#16 ·
No disrespect but it must be nice to be a clairvoyant and no when your gonna get into a gunfight.
Heh, heh... Of course I have no such gift. But carrying is risk management, not risk avoidance. There are going to be times when carry is impractical or unlawful, such as when I'm on school property or when I'm in an adjoining "anti-gun" state. That doesn't negate the value of risk remediation the rest of the time. Since concealed carry is supposed to be *concealed*, one of those exceptions is when I'll need to (partially) undress. My gun is always in one of three places, on my person, in my nightstand as I sleep, or in my safe. I don't like to leave it in my car, or in a corner of an examination room, out of my direct control.

Carry all day every day.
Would you carry while you have been admitted to a hospital, as an example? Kinda hard to conceal a gun under one of those skimpy "Johnnies". Just sayin'... Every rule has it's exceptions.
 
#15 ·
I would continue to carry there. I dont care for the extra weight that it adds when they weigh me. I just recently had my dentist visits and both times they lay the chair flat, so im laying down. I just simply rest my hands over my stomach and cover the bulge sticking through my shirt from the grip.
 
#18 ·
One thing that I haven't seen brought up, You said Procedure, I usually associate that with them taking me in another room,

I think if you had to leave it with your clothes and if you had any medications while the procedure was being done,

If that is True Now we have a huge problem,

new meds and loosing contact with firearm, That criteria means I lock it in the car
 
#19 ·
Out of principle I would change doctors. I have taken my general practitioner and my allergy specialist shooting. Heck, I even took my allergy specialists kids to the range when we went. they both know that I carry in their offices. In Texas, however, hospitals are gun free zones.
 
#37 · (Edited)
If I remember correctly; it wasn't the Doc that made the comments to the OP.

If I was a recipient of similar comments, my reply would be "no problem, just as soon as you provide me with written, notarized documentation that your office is guaranteeing my complete safety for any and all times you're requesting that I be without my customary means of personal protection."

I always carry when visiting either of my Doc's, as a BG may figure out that someone exiting a Dr's. office may be, due to either an illness or other infirmity, "an easy target."

Both my Dr's. know I carry, and have no problem with it. If they did: I'd change Dr's.

Rick
 
#20 ·
There are only two places I go regularly where I can't carry a gun. My Dr's. office & church. As a matter of fact I will go to the clinic Monday for lab tests & then to see the Doc in the same building on Wednesday to discuss the results. This is an every three month occurrence. The clinic is posted & that has the force of law in WI. The church is attached to a school & that's a no-no in this state even when school is not in session. It would be a felony if I were armed & caught. We have fairly good gun laws in this state but those two disgust me to no end. Of all the times I carry which is daily, everyday from waking to bedtime those are the two places I want to be carrying. All the rest of the posted locations are not visited by me. I take my money elsewhere where I'm not restricted.

So far I haven't been questioned at my Doc's office about gun ownership or shooting.
 
#22 ·
I'll see my Dr in May to burn some nerves in my low back. I think I'll discuss with him then the office managers remarks. If it was his policy which preceded the remarks I'll try to change his mind. Baring that I'll suppose a new Dr may be in order. I may also just carry my J-frame during these visits. I believe my right to self defense trumps his feelings.

Cheers,
Marc
 
#23 ·
I believe my right to self defense trumps his feelings.
I hear that a lot from my fellow gun owners. We tend to believe that our 2A rights trump all others. On a moral / ethical / philosophical level, that may be true. Even if it's not universally true, we're all entitled to our opinions and beliefs. On a legal level, however, it's almost certainly not true. In my state, property owners have the right to ban guns from their private property, even if that property is a place of business nominally open to the public. I think that's true in most states. Keep in mind that property ownership rights are also among those fundamental rights we hold dear. In my state, you are guilty of criminal trespass if you are asked to remove either yourself and/or your gun from the premises and you do not comply.
 
#25 ·
Marc Tuunanen; I may also just carry my J-frame during these visits. I believe my right to self defense trumps his feelings. Cheers said:
Does your right trump the law in your state? If not, you are proving that "No Gun Zones" do not stop criminals, by becoming one yourself. :cry:
 
#26 · (Edited)
Does your right trump the law in your state? If not, you are proving that "No Gun Zones" do not stop criminals, by becoming one yourself.
Yep, that's putting it bluntly, but I agree. My personal conviction is that unconstitutional gun restrictions need to be overturned in the courts, or repealed through legislative action. It seems like an uphill battle.

I think that gun owners can best serve the cause by maintaining the high moral ground, and, IMHO, that includes being scrupulous about obeying existing laws, even those we don't like, and being likewise scrupulous about gun safety. If we're perceived as behaving as if we're above the law or in a manner that disregards the safety of ourselves and others around us, we lose some amount of political credibility and public sympathy. Just sayin'...
 
#27 ·
In Virginia unless it's posted it does not carry weight of law. Thus it's his feelings until he posts, then it's law and I in no way would break laws. Would suck to be a dead statistic or a test case.

Something to think about: Out west several laws were past recently which make it breaking the law if you don't serve gay couples on religious or ethical reasons. How is a gun owner any different than a gay couple in principle? It may be a test case but I in no way have the resources to be a test case.

Cheers,
Marc
 
#29 ·
I personally do not think that a business operating for the public should have ever been given the right to post. But Here in NC they have that right. We just gotten the right to carry into restaurants that serve alcohol and into paid assembles. So progress for us comes slowly.

Do you know your doctor, personally, well enough to ask him if you just pocket carried would that be OK. I would think his OK would outrank the Office manager.

Thank you for your service, by the way. :yes
 
#32 ·
Several years ago, before things were quite so crazy in the firearm world, I had a motorcycle accident and was knocked unconscious. I was loaded into an ambulance where I woke a bit before arriving at the hospital. I was unconscious a bit, then came around in the ER. I had been carrying a pistol. I didn't have any idea where it was.

A few hours later, a Florida Highway Patrol officer came to my room to interview me. I told him I was worried about the gun. He told me that the ambulance folks had bagged it and given it to him, and he had it tucked away for me. He told me that the hospital would not have allowed it in. He said mist likely, they would have called the local police and had it impounded or destroyed.

I was in the hospital for a few days, and when I got out, I gave the trooper a call, and he dropped the gun by the next time he was in the neighborhood. There was no drama, and the gun was in perfect condition when I got it back.

I have always wondered what might have happened if I had not had a trooper who was quite so professional.
 
#34 ·
As a retired LEO, all of my doctors know I carry, but I still go out of my way to keep my gun out of sight. I would never leave my gun in my car. Cars are constantly stolen or broken into.
In regards to places that ban you from carrying---In my opinion-What they don't know won't hurt them. Most of the mass shootings have taken place in gun free areas. The bad guys know they will be the only ones armed, so that's why they choose these locations. I would rather take my chances in court than go unarmed. The old saying still rings true-- "It's better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6".---EZRider
 
#38 ·
So I went back to the Dr's Office with my j-frame well hidden and my 9c in my glovebox. The office is not displaying any signiage to prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms. Until they do I will excersise my god given rights to be safe in my surroundings. Thanx to all who replied to my dilemma.

Cheers ,
Marc
 
#52 · (Edited)
What is the difference between a posted sign saying no firearms and a office manager telling you not to bring it? You are saying you will follow a posted sign over someone directly contacting you and speaking with you in person not bring a firearm inside the property. They are exercising their rights as a business to not allow firearms. I am not saying they are right or wrong, that is their decision.
 
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