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Strange...

I find myself torn on this issue...And the side I fall on is not the one some may think I would be on...

Being a state certified firefighter and seen my fair share of shinanigans, both on and off a scene, it just doesn't make much sense to me to carry on my person a firearm when I should be consentrating on the job I am performing at that time...

Most departments have SOP's that direct responders to act, or not act, when a scene is perceived to not be secure for any first responder EMS services are needed...

Those are just the breaks...

Imagine yourself in that volatile situation...You are performing life-saving methods on a patient and someone on the scene presents a clear and present danger to you, your crew and the patient you are stabilizing...You reasonably determine that deadly force is necessary to protect your life and those with you, and you stop that threat...

What do you have on your hands now???

What do you think is going to happen afterwards???

Do you believe you can continue to effectively function as a first responder to the first patient??? After you have just shot someone else who was threatening you???

Ask yourself these questions...There is no need to respond directly to these questions I just thought up...

Volunteering to serve your community in this capacity is a noble calling...It is one that is fraught with risks before, during and after responding to emergencies in your community...

Why complicate your calling by carrying a firearm on your person in these situations...Your mind will be not totally focused, at times, when all you should be doing is consentrating on the patient(s)...

I hate to be the devils advocate on this one, but I just look at this a little differently I suppose...

If there is no way to secure a scene (either fire, rescue or medical emergency), and the law enforcement that usually responds with us cannot or is not capable of securing the situation...I'm really sorry...

That is the risk everyone takes on both sides of the equation...

Just my opinion...