[Posting this in General discussion because the proposal has not even been drafted for submission in the legislature, yet.]
Recently in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, an ambulance crew came under attack by a gunman while responding to an emergency. One of the EMTs has a concealed carry license, and was armed on the job. He responded in kind, killing the attacker, and is credited with saving three lives. The event has prompted a member of the state legislature to plan on introducing bills to make it clear there is no state law forbidding legal carry by first responders.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette news article that prompts me to post this comment is
EMTs' gun-carry law on to-do list by Byron Tate
The bills have not yet been written, but according the article, Senator Garner plans several aspects.
Craig
Recently in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, an ambulance crew came under attack by a gunman while responding to an emergency. One of the EMTs has a concealed carry license, and was armed on the job. He responded in kind, killing the attacker, and is credited with saving three lives. The event has prompted a member of the state legislature to plan on introducing bills to make it clear there is no state law forbidding legal carry by first responders.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette news article that prompts me to post this comment is
EMTs' gun-carry law on to-do list by Byron Tate
The bills have not yet been written, but according the article, Senator Garner plans several aspects.
- Make it explicitly clear that no state law prohibits carry by properly licensed early responders when on the job.
- The law would not override the authority of employing agencies to set their own policies regarding responders being armed.
- Establish a training and licensing program for EMTs and paramedics that would give them the same carry authority as law enforcement officers.
You can hear Senator Garner discuss his proposal with firearms instructor Ed Monk (Last Resort Firearms Training) on the Dave Elswick Podcast for 12/23/1920 beginning at about the 40 minute point:
Craig