Federal Law
Sometimes it’s hard for hospitals and health care facilities to enforce gun laws. People who want to bring a weapon into a facility will often times succeed. Even though it is sometimes challenging, it is the job of the hospital to keep firearms out of their buildings. No gun signs are a good way to keep them out. There are many cases of firearms being used in hospitals where the outcome is disastrous. Many times people will bring guns into the hospital to harm themselves. Federal laws state that any hospital that offers Medicare must meet the Patient Rights Condition of Participation. This states that patients have the right to receive care in a safe situation. Under no circumstances can the hospital offer an unsafe situation during patient care. A good way to keep the hospital safe, is to have no gun signs posted clearly around the hospital.

No gun signs help make sure that everyone is aware that they are not permitted inside any buildings. People with guns are unpredictable and unreliable. For these reasons, and many others, guns are not permitted in hospitals or health care facilities. Some people are responsible with guns and would never seek to cause harm, but there is no way for a hospital to distinguish a dangerous gun carrier from a not so dangerous one.  Since it’s so hard to know who will and will not be dangerous, the best policy is to eliminate the problem at the root. Having a no gun sign makes sure that there are no firearms in your hospital and therefore no problems.

State Law
Laws on guns in hospitals can vary from state to state. Regardless of what state you’re in, if your hospital offers Medicare you must comply with Federal law mandating a patient's right to a safe place when receiving care. Many states have laws that are very similar to the Federal law concerning Medicare patients. Many states have laws stating that every patient, Medicare or not, is deserving of a safe care giving environment. Like the Medicare law, this means that guns are not allowed in the hospital where people are being cared for. Having guns around does not provide a safe environment for anyone, especially patients. Other states have laws that require the hospital to control traffic and access to patient care rooms and emergency rooms. In this case, there are often metal detectors or security guards placed at entrances to the hospital and certain areas of the hospital keeping guns out. No guns signs will also be placed at the entrances to these areas and the entrances to the hospital. Having no gun signs posted clearly where everyone can see them can eliminate any confusion as to whether or not they are permitted in the hospital.

Why No Gun Signs Work
No guns signs are effective because they help clarify situations. These no gun signs, when used properly, can keep a hospital safe and gun free. These signs generally depict a gun with a red circle on top of the gun with a bar through it. This easily recognizable symbol for ‘no’ leaves no question as to whether or not guns are allowed inside the building. You can get a sign that just has the picture, or you can have a sign with the picture and ‘no guns’ written beneath it. It is better to have these no gun signs in places that are viewed easily and often. Large and bold print will also ensure that the sign is viewed and read. When all of these things are done, the signs will be effective in keeping guns out of the hospital.

Types of No Gun Signs
HSI offers a wide range of signs that indicate guns are prohibited. No guns signs should be large if they are going to be effective. Having large signs posted at the entrances to the hospital as well as smaller reminders throughout the hospital can help keep firearms out of your facility. The most common signs are large signs with a picture of a small handgun beneath a red, bold circle with a line through it. These signs are most popular and extremely clear and to the point. Other signs have a smaller version of the picture with accompanying words. These signs could simply say no guns, or they could say something as detailed as, ‘concealed firearms are prohibited in this facility’. These signs don’t necessarily have to be in red and black, but these particular colors seem authoritative. These colors make people stop and look and actually adhere to what the sign is telling them to do.

Read More
Generally speaking, no one really feels safer when guns are around unless you are the person carrying the weapon. Even when you are carrying the weapon, there are so many accidents that can occur. In a place where people are trying to be healed and fixed, there is simply no reason for guns. No gun signs can go a long way in keeping these hospitals safe. These signs can be even more essential and necessary in hospitals that have high risk psychiatric wards. The majority of gun injuries in hospitals happen in psychiatric wards or are self inflicted.

Get the signs you need from Health Care Signs today!