Armed Doctor with CCW helps victim's flee gunman at Hospital

[usmarine0352_2005]

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http://www.startribune.com/nation/140886963.html

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Gunman killed after taking hostages at Colo. medical building; armed doctor helps others flee

Article by: Associated Press

Updated: February 29, 2012 - 11:57 AM



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A Colorado doctor with a concealed-weapon permit said he grabbed his gun and guarded an exit at a medical building as dozens of people fled from a gunman who had taken two hostages.

Authorities in Colorado Springs said the hostages were released before police shot and fatally wounded the gunman Tuesday. No one else was hurt.
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[Hunterdad]

+1 for the good guys!!

 

[ZeSpectre]

But I don't understand, according to the news that doctor could "only have made things worse"


<sarcasm off>

 

[wannabeagunsmith]

Maybe this will convince them to remove the no gun signs at the hospitals round where I live.... but then, probably not.

 

[Ranger30-06]

And despite his heroism, this will be ignored and the attention will be poured into the school shooting... I'm convinced some people like to make everyone else feel depressed instead of looking at the good side of things...

 

[8654Maine]

Let no crisis be wasted.

If only the news wasn't so one-sided, these types of events would be highlighted more.

 

[threefeathers]

More and more of my Doc friends are carrying heat.

 

[doc2rn]

It's a sign of the times we are living in! Gotta give an Atta-Boy to that Doc, at least he was prepared! Most hospitals are exceedingly anti-gun to the point of histerics.

 

[Old Guy]

My local hospital, Emergency entrance, un armed Security! Metal detector.

Main entrance, just walk in.

Dr. had balls! If someone came out armed? They were going to be shot.

 

[dannyr3_8]

i thought hospitals and doctors offices were places you could not carry guns in like schools and gov buildings

 

[X-Rap]

Dam people these laws are not the same everywhere, in Colorado there is no prohibition in the law. His employment conditions may be different in which he may need help keeping his job.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

But I don't understand, according to the news that doctor could "only have made things worse"

I understand your comment, LOL, but as near as I can tell, the doctor didn't actually do anything that had any sort of relevant impact on the situation with his gun.

from the article cited in the OP...

A doctor at the practice, Jeff Ferguson, told KKTV he retrieved his gun from its storage place and protected an exit as an estimated 50 people fled down a stairway.

"If this guy opens this door, I'm going to have to shoot him," Ferguson said. "I was absolutely prepared to shoot him, yes."

He seems to be following in the footsteps of Dan McCowan and Joe Zamudio to try to claim some of the hero glory that he was there, had a gun, and was prepared to use it, but didn't. Having a gun made no actual impact on the situation. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=566761&highlight=zamudio

What the doctor did was good, but really was a non-event relative to being armed. At least Zamudio and McCowan actually engaged the shooter. Zamudio was one of the folks helping hold Loughner on the ground and disarming him. McCowan stupidly left cover by standing up and yelling at the mall gunman who promptly shot McCowan multiple times, McCowan's gun still stowed in his pants. Zamudio spoke about how he was ready and prepared to use his gun. McCowan noted how he carried a gun to protect others and was prepared to use it to defend them.

So Ferguson had a gun, never engaged the shooter, never saw the shooter, but guarded a closed door and had no actual impact on the situation. Other than getting a little positive press coverage, it is hard to get excited about a CCW person with a gun, being prepared to use it. Tens of thousands of CCW folks carry guns and are prepared to use them every day, should the need arise. Some actually do. Ferguson, Zamudio, and McCowan didn't.

 

[Art Eatman]

Looks like the doctor did all he needed to do at the time, given the overall situation...