Dive Brief:
- A state representative in Texas is pushing for legislation that would allow people to carry guns in hospitals.
- Rep. Drew Springer says staff and visitors should be able to bring guns into the hospital for self-defense.
- As of last January, it is legal to carry guns into other public places in Texas.
Dive Insight:
Dallas County Hospital District Police Captain Dan Birbeck told Kera News that although he supports the second ammendment, he doesn't think it's a good idea to allow guns in hospitals. Part of his reasoning is that hospitals tend to treat a lot of psychiatric patients who could possibly hurt themselves or others. "Even though that person may have the right to defend themselves, they don't have the right to put others in danger," he said.
Birbeck also said that hospital employees in Springer's district are trained to deal with active shooters. "If we were to have somebody enter the hospital with a gun, we have non-ambulatory patients that can't defend themselves," he said. "We have patients that are ill and unable to defend themselves. So we try to prepare for that event so we can protect as many of our patient population as possible.”
Although Springer told Kera News he's willing to negotiate the details of the proposed legislation, he's not planning to let it drop.
Want to read more? You may want to read this story about active shooters and other violence: How hospitals should prepare.