ER & EDC Anecdote

[ProfMagoo(ret)]

Late last night/early this morning, picked up the wife at a local ER (she's ok, btw). To my surprise, there was a metal detector at the entrance. My EDC knife along with keys and such went into the basket. The exchange with the Security Guard went like this:

SG: You'll have to take that back to your car (indicating the knife). You can't bring a weapon inside.
ME: It's not a "weapon" by legal definition. The General Statutes exclude knives whose blade fits entirely within the handle and there is no mechanical release.
SG: Its not a question of legal: we're private property and you can't bring that in.

He then offered to secure the knife whilst I took care of business and would return it when I left. I accepted. When I left, he had it ready, we shook hands and wished each other a good night.

Just thought to offer the anecdote, especially as this was a novel experience for me. Have to give the guard credit: he was firm but polite and helpful. Not too happy with the policy, however - after all, early morning hours walking from a parking lot to an ER is not the most secure of environs.

 

[Miss Lily]

Thanks for bringing that up. This is a scenario that I had not considered.

My Kershaw "Leek" is like a body part to me. I never considered it a "deadly weapon". Hopefully, there are no hospital visits in my near future.

 

[fieldgrade]

I have had some family in and out of hospitals in the past several years and there were no metal detectors (UNC and Wake Med), but we weren't going through ER either. This is good to know.

 

[beamernc]

I think the metal detectors are more in the ER's. Greenville Memorial Hospital has them in the ER because when some gang members had brought in for treatment, the rival gang that put them there, came looking to finish them off. There were no others at the hospital, except the psych ward.

 

[DurhamDad]

Yes, my Kershaw Blur stays in the car when I have to go into the Duke ER... They have a metal detector too.

This was also an issue for me at one of Charlotte's city govt buildings... I had to return the pocket knife and pepper spray to car after talking with a guard at the entrance detector/ checkpoint. According to the employees I was meeting with, they amped up security ahead of the Democratic convention a few yrs back, and decided to keep it that way.

 

[Tim]

I thought this would be similar to my experience a couple years ago.

My heart went into AFIB, checked myself into ER and had totally forgotten about the j-frame in my pocket until they mentioned going to CT.

I looked at the nurse and said, "ummmm.....I need a minute alone with my wife please." Slipped it in her purse, she walks out nervously saying something about running to the car....nurse comes back in and says, "so...what caliber?"

 

[Lee_Dingle]

I have had experience with both REX and WakeMed ERs. Both have metal detectors. Security guards have always been courteous. I have come in during an actual emergency with someone no breathing and just been waved though. I think it all depends on your situation and the day/night the guard is having.

 

[S4f]

The last time I was on jury duty ,I drove my wife's car, forgetting she keeps a small serrated folder on her key ring, I remembered, just as the keys hit the tote along with my belt, I thought I'm in trouble now,but the deputy, glanced in the basket, then said hear you go, thank God he was on automatic pilot.