Question For The Medics, Cops and ER Nurses

For an article I'm working on:

For the medics:

1. Medics, if you encounter a patient legally carried a concealed firearm, how do you deal with it? Secure and clear the weapon yourself? Have law enforcement do it?

2. For those instances when law enforcement officers are not present, what then?

3. Does your agency have a policy or procedure on how to deal with such things? If so, what is it?

For the cops:

1. You're working an accident scene, or for that matter, a shooting, and medics approach you to secure a firearm found on one of the patients. Presuming the patient is carrying legally, what do you do with the weapon?

2. If the patient is in command of his mental faculties, but for obvious reasons cannot go into the hospital carrying his weapon, what then?

For the ED nurses and physicians:

1. Medics bring in a patient who was legally carrying a concealed firearm. Let's say the medics (or a cop who arrived at the hospital with them or at a later time) have secured the weapon, and left it with the patient's personal effects. How do you deal with the firearm? Who would be responsible for its safe storage in your hospital?

2. What are your procedures for returning the firearm to its owner upon their discharge from the Emergency Department?

I eagerly await your comments…

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