Clarity wanted in weapon law(WY)

wyomingnews.com ^ | 8 February, 2011 | Josh Rhoten

[marktwain]

CHEYENNE -- Hospital officials locally and statewide are encouraging legislators to clarify the concealed weapons law as it relates to hospitals.

The current law limits where you can carry a concealed weapon, but does not specifically address hospitals or healthcare buildings.

Discussion around the clarification began after Senate File 47 was introduced into the Legislature. That bill would allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

The bill's introduction and debate create a prime opportunity to address the issue and add needed detail to the law, according to one Cheyenne Regional Medical Center official.

"We are not taking a position on the Second Amendment with this request," said Dr. Phyllis Sherard, director of community health and government affairs at CRMC. "The statute just does not address hospitals or other health-care facilities as being places where you couldn't bring a concealed weapon, and all we would like is for a little more clarification.

"There were 25 shootings in hospitals last year, including one in Wheatland," she continued. "They happened for a lot of reasons, ranging from accidental discharge to people who were mentally unstable bringing the gun with them to the facility. Looking at those shootings got us thinking about the safety of our facility. I think hospitals are one of the places where a responsible person could be overcome by a variety of circumstances, and there is a danger there when they have a weapon."

[marktwain]

Special pleading for creation of another defenseless victim zone in the law. Hospitals, if they are private entities, have the ability to prohibit weapons in their facilities, the same as any other private entity. They should not be given special status in the law.

[Squantos]

A crazed drugged up idgit with a stolen gun will surely follow a law..... And we all know that paper laws stop bullets....

< / sarcasm>

[Lion Den Dan]

As the article points out, there are some dangerous people in and around hospitals. Some are crazy and dangerous. All the more reason to go armed.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

"We are not taking a position on the Second Amendment with this request," said Dr. Phyllis Sherard, Actually you are, doctor. A pity you can't fathom that. TC

[Seruzawa]

As the article points out, there are some dangerous people in and around hospitals. Some are crazy and dangerous.

And most of them are doctors. LOL!

[archy]

"We are not taking a position on the Second Amendment with this request," said Dr. Phyllis Sherard, director of community health and government affairs at CRMC.

Sorry, Doc. We've decided that if other folks Second Amendment rights are denied in Wyoming hospitals, your First Amendment rights cease as well.

Now get in the cattle car, and when you get to the camp, be sure and stop off at the shower room.

[KC Burke]

I didn’t think Brian lived in Wyoming.

< /oldtimer >