| Updated: 11/14/2012 2:59 am |
Published: 11/13/2012 8:25 pm
|
A gun went off at a Tulsa hospital where the speeding bullet barely missed flammable medical equipment.
Tulsa police said a man made a dangerous mistake during a doctor’s appointment at St. John Medical Center.
Officers responded to a call at the hospital on Monday and learned a patient’s gun fell out of his jacket in the doctor’s room and fired.
No one was hurt.
"It's clearly a violation and you have to follow the rules,” said Tulsa Police Sergeant Kurt Dodd.
Signs posted on the doors at St. John Medical Center warn patients they can’t bring a gun into St. John. It’s the hospital’s choice, hospitals are not required to prohibit firearms under the self-defense act.
"He stated he always carries his gun with him," said Dodd.
A Derringer, small two-shot pistol with no trigger guard. Officers said when it fell out of the 72-year-old man’s jacket in the doctor’s office the gun went off.
"It made a big impact on the floor and missed the oxygen tanks," said Dodd. "Extremely dangerous and thank goodness no one was hurt."
Dodd said the man didn't say why he brought the gun into the hospital.
"I can't think of many reasons people bring guns into a hospital,” said Dodd.
Instead, police said gun owners should leave it at home or in their car.
Gun safes are less than $200 at Tulsa Firearms.
"You can program in your own code,” said Tulsa Firearms, Curtis Leos.
You can bolt the gun safes under your seat in your car.
FOX23 News found Kenneth Baucum on Facebook who is interested in a gun safe.
"I am not out there to guard my car when I am working or shopping so it gives me a place to know that is secure,” said Baucum.
He openly carries on his hip but wants to secure the gun in his car if he can’t carry it indoors. Baucum said he wants to make sure it’s hidden well inside a gun safe in his car.
"It’s more on the forefront of my mind that someone might see me take it it out and put it in the glove box."
FOX23 News met Baucum at Tulsa Firearms where he tested one to see if it would fit under his seat.
"If someone really wants to get in your car they'll get in, but this will help, at least really help deter them,” said Leos.
You can also secure the safe with a cable.
The more expensive vaults are found online and can be customized for certain makes of vehicles.
"It's the best you can do. Rather than just putting it in the glove box or in the console or sticking it under the seat this is more secure,” said Leos.
During the St. John incident, police took away the man’s concealed carry license and sent it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. OSBI will determine if his license will be revoked.
Police did not arrest the man but the District Attorney could charge him with reckless handling of a firearm. That would require jail time and a fine up to $1,000.
Oklahoma state law prohibits gun owners from carrying firearms concealed or openly into airports past TSA security, public meetings, schools, federal buildings, courthouses, college campuses, sporting events and bars.
OSBI reports last year they issued 24,000 handgun licenses and less than 2% were revoked and only two were for recklessness.
Since open carry started about two weeks ago police haven’t had a 911 call for open carry but they’ve seen the heat.
"One officer has seen someone [legally] openly carrying,” said Dodd.
However, police changed the way officers are dispatched to open carry calls. Before open carry, “man with a gun” was known as a priority two call for police.
911 Communications said with open carry it’s known as “man with a gun-carry” meaning there is no threat and it’s in a holster. They are now a priority five call which are known as “people crimes” where a robbery, disturbance, assault, happened hours before the call or the suspect is not present.
Gun owners said they too haven’t had a problem with openly packing heat.
"A lot of people did double takes but no one said anything or made a fuss,” said Baucum.
