Hospital shootings are not common, but do occur. This places the patients and staff at risk. It has always been a social contract with our patients and the public that medical staff have always been neutral and protected. This goes back in history for centuries. Unfortunately, the rate of violence is growing and one area that is seeing the greatest rise is in the emergency department. Most hospitals already have security in place at the hospital to help safeguard patients and staff, but these guards are usually unarmed. Armed guards could add an additional level of protection. It has been well documented within law enforcement that the best response to an active shooter is with a fast response and meeting the shooter with armed resistance.
