[lockout]

This is a thought that i've had since i often commute to work on my bike with my weapon in my backpack...don't worry when i'm 'dressed' my weapon is on me. when my firearm is in my backpack it is never out of my control.
what i've wondered is what if i get hit or wreck and am incapacitated?
hopefully it'll be ok in my backpack.
has anybody had a similar experience while carrying?
what happened?

 

[Cowboy]

I have often wondered the same thing,even if you are in a vehical with your weapon on you, what happens if you are hurt bad enough to need an ambulance and are not in full control of the situation? Let's hope we don't have to find out first hand !!!

 

[divegeek]

I don't think it matters whether it's on your hip or in your backpack -- if you're incapacitated the weapon is out of your control. It'll be up to the EMTs how they want to deal with it, along with the rest of your stuff.

 

[tapehoser]

This reminds me of something that happened to me last summer. I was hiking to Lake Blanche in August on a 100+ degree day at 1 PM with a bunch of scouts. Before I knew it I was out of water and everyone else was dangerously low. As we approached the top, I knew I was in trouble. Serious trouble. Another leader and I both collapsed with the beginnings of heat exhaustion. Fortunately for him, he had been drinking almost double the amount of water I had and he recovered with a few sips from someone else's water bottle. I however, came dangerously close to heat stroke.

While I was incapactitated, my guys were stripping my boots off and one of them removed my .45 and stuck it into his waistband as if that were normal and just went on caring for me. 2 hours and about 50 ounces of water later, I was functioning near normal and could finally talk and walk. Then I realized my .45 was gone. I got a panicked look and before I could even finish my sentence, the other leader was handing my .45 back to me. It was a relief to have a responsible gun-lover there to take control of the situtation. I just hope that an EMT is not going to freak out under similar circumstances.

 

[davyut]

I think in this area you are likely to find more gun friendly or those used to firearms. I am sure that many in the emergency response field have ran into this before and have procedures to deal with it.

 

[Stenny4]

As a Firefighter/EMT for two local cities, I can tell you what I would do. If you are in a serious accident, such as an auto vs. bike, and are seriously injured, whether or not you are unconscious, rest assured you will be stripped. At least down to your underwear, if not naked. If I were to come across someone's CW, it would not be a big deal for me. What I do with it depends on your level of consciousness. If you are alert, I would ask you what you would like me to do with it. If you have means to keep your firearm concealed, i.e. backpack or briefcase, I would put it in there for you and inform you of where it was. If you have family with you, even better. I could also keep the firearm in my possession, and check it in with security when we arrive at the hospital. It would be up to you what you wanted to do with it after that. If you are unconscious, I would check the firearm in with security at the hospital. Now that is just my opinion, and most other Firefighters I know and work with are pretty comfortable with firearms, and I could see them handling the situation in a similar manner. After three years, I have yet to actually run across this situation. I think it's funny you asked this question because I have been thinking about it lately.

 

[Stenny4]

I am sure that many in the emergency response field have ran into this before and have procedures to deal with it.

You would think all departments would have a written Standard Operating Procedure for this situation, but neither department I work has one.

 

[HERMIT]

My limited experience is that security will hold it and turn it over to the police officer who will usually be along soon in most cases of accidents involving cars. Usually most personal belongings get turned over to the social worker, but I have always seen security keep the gun and give it to the police. My experience is small however. -HERMIT

 

[the wall]

I work for a volunter fire department as firefighter/EMT and most of our guys have their CWC so finding a gun on someone would be no big deal. We have good relations with law enforcement and would probably turn the gun over to them for safekeeping and inform the patient or patient's family on who has the gun. This is if the person can't communicate their wishes to us. Otherwise we would do what the patient wants us to with the gun.