Cops called after I checked my firearm at the emergency room

[Spartos]

Where to begin? Well here is a small list I keep on my computer, for starters...

It's great to have this list! However the web site for the Shooter's Bar has changed as of Jan. 30. It's now:
http://www.theshootersbar.org/

[Curmudgeon]

It's great to have this list! However the web site for the Shooter's Bar has changed as of Jan. 30. It's now:
http://www.theshootersbar.org/

Good to know! Thanks for the correction. I will update my records.

[Ricochet]

Thats crazy that the hospital does that.

Also, I dont ever remember being in a hospital with metal detectors at the door.
Philly must be getting bad.

[ungawa]

That is seriously F-d up. I would talk to at least one lawyer.

[Evan]

Thats crazy that the hospital does that.

Also, I dont ever remember being in a hospital with metal detectors at the door.
Philly must be getting bad.

The metal detectors must be so they know who has a steel rod or plate when they walk through the door. Must help them process people faster.

As has been said, I would definitely file a complaint. The police not only violated your rights, you and you gun are now in their system.

[Kodiak]

Wow JD....that would have easily pissed me off to no end...

You did exacty what you were required to do....but they treated you as if you were some sort of criminal...and thats BS.

Imagine if every car that was brought into a shop had its plates ran to see it the driver had any tickets or didnt even have a license...

Id get the exact policy in writing....and a lawyer.

Or you can just let us know and we can email their people telling them how ridiculous this sounds.

[IronButt]

There is a security checkpoint that you have to go through just to get into the ER. So I see a sign that says something to the effect of "If you have a license to carry a firearm and you wish to check your weapon, check with security and they will hold you firearm in a locked location and you can pick it up when you are finished"
Thoughts?

It doesn't make much difference as far as the illegal (IMO) search, but did the sign say you MUST check your weapon or you can check your weapon if you WISH? I don't think that by volunteering to check your weapon you waived any of your rights, unless there was something on the form that you signed that you didn't see.

[Emptymag]

Wow JD....that would have easily pissed me off to no end...

You did exacty what you were required to do....but they treated you as if you were some sort of criminal...and thats BS.

Imagine if every car that was brought into a shop had its plates ran to see it the driver had any tickets or didnt even have a license...

Id get the exact policy in writing....and a lawyer.

Or you can just let us know and we can email their people telling them how ridiculous this sounds.

This is exactly what I was about to post.

Is your auto registration valid? Insurance? Is the vehicle you brought to "their hospital" inspected, and legal to drive? After all, more people are killed in motor vehicle accidents than are killed by handguns.

When you make your feelings known, you may wish to use this type of example to help them make the connection, as they will likely not be able to wrap their brains around the fact that a handgun is property like everything else, and not some instrument of death that must be proven to be "legal" upon demand without GOOD REASON.

[Kodiak]

It doesn't make much difference as far as the illegal (IMO) search, but did the sign say you MUST check your weapon or you can check your weapon if you WISH? I don't think that by volunteering to check your weapon you waived any of your rights, unless there was something on the form that you signed that you didn't see.

I doubt he missed anything.

If id was clearly written Im sure JD or any of us would have just told them to suck eggs.

[1713]

Did you have any contact with the cops that came to the hospital? If not, meaning you didn't intervene and ask them to stop, then I don't believe this was a 4th amendment violation.

It's less a question of ownership and more a question of control and/or possession. If my wife (or other resident of my house) consents to a search of my house, even if I have previously refused, then the search is good because she had control of the residence at that time.

You voluntarily surrendered that property to a third party.