I packed in a hospital when I was working night duty. I would have a 9mm IWB to and from work and I would have a .25 in my pocket, even if I was in an operating theatre.
Why? Because this was in Johannesburg and the security guards there are armed with batons only. The official policy is for staff to hand their guns in to security. It is a long process and there is a big delay while recording the serial number, how many magazines, name of owner etc.
There were enough incidents on hospital premises for me to know that a gun in a security depot is no use when things go sour. So I kept the 9mm in my own locker and carried the .25 on me. If there was ever a ruckus out front at the trauma unit, I swapped the .25 for the 9mm and carried it IWB. A lot of guys saw me packing, but nobody ever reported me. I guess that's what comes of being one of the few armed staff members there. They've had patients pull guns on them in the traum unit, they've had patients gunned down on the ward, and they've had rival families brawling out front. Until the Flying Squad gets there, its nice to know they can come down to the X-ray department and at least there will be some defense from the evil-doers.
One morning after I finished my shift, I got a call from one of the ortho consultants (who is a reserve policeman). He said "Quick, get down to the rear helipad, now!"
When I got there, a police helicopter was there, just about to take off. I jumped in with the ortho and we took off, looking for a suspect. I was an extra pair of eyes. I wasn't supposed to be packing on the chopper, but they trusted me enough not to make things awkward. We never found the guy.
Same applies to several trips on the rescue chopper (as an observer). I packed there too. But that's the nice thing about a hospital: the staff members tend to look after each other. I X-rayed that pilot and he took me for a spin on the way to the rear hangar.
Twice I was told I could not accompany first responders UNLESS I was packing. Once was with the Johannesburg Flying Squad on a night patrol, and the other time was in a doctor's medical response vehicle on New Year's Eve, also in Johannesburg. Those were both very enlightening experiences.
So I guess the answer is yes, I have carried as often as I can, but the South Africans haven't given me any trouble about that. It is probably also to do with respect for me as a radiographer, as well as a feeling of added security. Never had to draw in the hospital (but came close twice). Drew once in the medical response car, and drew once after exiting the police car at the scene of a reported robbery. They are covered by an indemnity form, and the captain in charge of that unit is the same guy who taught me 'things'
Most unusual place I carried (unannounced) was on a military helicopter in the Drakensberg mountains. I won't say how I got to ride on that, but I can say it is my number one unusual carry place as a civilian.
Here is the Oryx:
And here is the view from where I was sitting on the deck:
So I guess what I should inscribe on my pistol is "Have ticket, will ride"
Why? Because this was in Johannesburg and the security guards there are armed with batons only. The official policy is for staff to hand their guns in to security. It is a long process and there is a big delay while recording the serial number, how many magazines, name of owner etc.
There were enough incidents on hospital premises for me to know that a gun in a security depot is no use when things go sour. So I kept the 9mm in my own locker and carried the .25 on me. If there was ever a ruckus out front at the trauma unit, I swapped the .25 for the 9mm and carried it IWB. A lot of guys saw me packing, but nobody ever reported me. I guess that's what comes of being one of the few armed staff members there. They've had patients pull guns on them in the traum unit, they've had patients gunned down on the ward, and they've had rival families brawling out front. Until the Flying Squad gets there, its nice to know they can come down to the X-ray department and at least there will be some defense from the evil-doers.
One morning after I finished my shift, I got a call from one of the ortho consultants (who is a reserve policeman). He said "Quick, get down to the rear helipad, now!"
When I got there, a police helicopter was there, just about to take off. I jumped in with the ortho and we took off, looking for a suspect. I was an extra pair of eyes. I wasn't supposed to be packing on the chopper, but they trusted me enough not to make things awkward. We never found the guy.
Same applies to several trips on the rescue chopper (as an observer). I packed there too. But that's the nice thing about a hospital: the staff members tend to look after each other. I X-rayed that pilot and he took me for a spin on the way to the rear hangar.
Twice I was told I could not accompany first responders UNLESS I was packing. Once was with the Johannesburg Flying Squad on a night patrol, and the other time was in a doctor's medical response vehicle on New Year's Eve, also in Johannesburg. Those were both very enlightening experiences.
So I guess the answer is yes, I have carried as often as I can, but the South Africans haven't given me any trouble about that. It is probably also to do with respect for me as a radiographer, as well as a feeling of added security. Never had to draw in the hospital (but came close twice). Drew once in the medical response car, and drew once after exiting the police car at the scene of a reported robbery. They are covered by an indemnity form, and the captain in charge of that unit is the same guy who taught me 'things'
Most unusual place I carried (unannounced) was on a military helicopter in the Drakensberg mountains. I won't say how I got to ride on that, but I can say it is my number one unusual carry place as a civilian.
Here is the Oryx:
And here is the view from where I was sitting on the deck:
So I guess what I should inscribe on my pistol is "Have ticket, will ride"
) etc, etc.
