RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Firefighters and EMS personnel may soon be able to carry a concealed weapon while on the job thanks to legislation passed by Virginia’s Senate Tuesday.
State Sen. Amanda Chase (R – Chesterfield) filed SB 1012 that would allow first responders to carry a concealed firearm “provided that such firefighter or person employed as emergency medical services personnel has been approved to carry a concealed handgun by his fire chief or emergency medical services chief.”
FirefighterNation: Bill to Arm Firefighters, Medics Passes in Virginia Senate
Crewe Fire Department Firefighter and Squad Training Officer James Tharpe said -personally speaking and not on behalf of any organizations – he believed the bill would only increase the danger during a stressful call.
“You’re leaning over the patient trying to strap them in. They look up and see your hand gun, they have an episode and you’re disarmed by the patient,” Tharpe explained. “There’s just 10,000 things that can go wrong with this.”
