Federal ban at medical facilities???

[Sky King]

Yesterday I was escorting my wife to a doctor's appointment. The medical building was adjacent to Methodist North Hospital in Memphis which as many of may have seen the posts in other threads indicating that Methodist Hospitals in Memphis have recently posted their facilities. This building IS NOT part of the hospital facility or property. As I dropped my wife off at the door, I noted that there was NO posting at this facility and there was an armed security person standing out front. I went and parked the car and started to go in. The security person apparently was able to determine I was carrying, (I guess the summer weather and short sleeve shirts to not prevent the weapon from showing a bit of a bulge). He approached me, I must say he was very polite, and stated that weapons were not allowed in this building. I politely engaged him and stated that I saw no posting. He advised that he had asked the management to post the property IF they were going to ban weapons but they had declined. I stated that state law allows property owners to ban but they are required to post. He responded that it is FEDERAL LAW prohibiting weapons at ANY medical facility including hospitals, clinics and even private doctors offices. He said that includes your eye doctor and dentist. I told him I had never heard of this but would inquire.

I feel he is wrong. A federal ban of this scope certainly would not exist without SOME degree of common knowlege. Does ANYBODY including John, know of ANY federal code that imposes such a ban OR code that could be read and be mistakenly understood to impose such a ban?

[fl0at]

[johnharris]

I have not seen the ban of which you speak.

[David Lewis]

[Sky King]

Ok, so far the Tennessee Dept. of Safety has no information regarding such a law. Also today, I contacted the company who manages the building and told them what had happened and asked if they had such a policy. I was quite surprised. The lady I spoke with actually said that they had not had ANY discussion of the issue of people carrying on the property and had no policy one way or the other. She also stated that the security officer actually should not have made the statements he made regarding building policy when no such policy exists.

I thanked her for her time and asked that if in the future if they did have any discussions regarding carrying, that they NOT post as such postings are essentially useless anyway, only stopping law abiding citizens. She thanked me.

Now I wonder if it is even worth my time to go back and tell the security guard what I found out.

[Tim Nunan]

'Twere it me I'd just ignore that security guard for now. Since you've "stirred the pot" so to speak another encounter with that apparently anti-gun guard might result in the facility being posted. Just conceal well and walk past him.

[Sky King]

[David Lewis]

TN Law allows building owners or management to ban carry...not a hired security guard who's making things up as he goes along.

You've already had the discussion with the duly authorized management, who said the building is not posted, and carry is not prohibited.

If he says something again, tell him he's wrong, & immediately report him to his superiors, & let management know he's overstepping the
limited authority they have granted him.

David

[Sky King]

Well after hearing from all of you folks, inquiring with the Dept. of Safety and contacting the building managment group, I went back to give the security officer the information I had gathered. It was obvious from the look on his face and his demeanor that I had apparently already stirred the pot. When I told him that I had made inquiries, he said, "I know, I have heard". His tone of voice and expression indicated that he was not a happy camper. Instead of his previous jovial, polite tone, he was curt, and didn't have much to say.

I simply advised him that my inquiries had determined that there was no federal ban on medical faciliities and that the building managment company did not prohibit carrying of weapons on the property. To which he simply responded, "I don't believe we need to tallk anymore". I said, "no problem" and left.

I think what it boils down to is he got his bluff called and lost and from his tone and attitude today, he may have even been admonished or chastised by his boss, I don't know, he didn't say and I didn't ask.

Thanks for all the input from all you very knowlegable folks out there.

[David Lewis]

Way to go, Sam!

Chalk one up for the "Card-carrying Good Guys!", as Massad Ayoob calls permit holders!

David

[Fred762]

Take heart boys, the time will come when these "mall ninjas" will get into real trouble as they make up rules off the cuff.

It just seems easier to carry well concealed, as many do...as the old saying goes: don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

AFA being forced to go about disarmed by stupid "bans", I look at it this way: If I have to leave my gun at home, the gun banners do nothing to guarantee MY safety to and from, OR INSIDE their banned establishment, nor do they indemnify me in any way with any legal protection from any "mall ninja". If I am forced by some stupid ban to leave my gun locked in my vehicle, it is less safe there than it was at home in my gun safe...my risk again.
I also know that real criminals will totally ignore a "posted" sign, and in fact some studies seem to indicate that criminals will gravitate TO a place where there are unarmed sheeple(victims). So.... If I have a choice I will patronize an establishment where guns are welcome.

[Sky King]

[tnxdshooter]