LETTER: Hospital firearm policy is dangerous

Dear Editor:

It appears the policy of Health Central Hospital in Ocoee to ban firearms in their facility is fraught with liability and a potentially huge settlement from civil litigation. Whatever happened that caused them to install signs to the Emergency Room entrance that bans firearms is a mystery to me. It requires folks to empty their pockets and purses in search of banned items. Security guards are on hand to enforce rules and regulations. But, at all the other entrances, there is no such procedure and security other than a small nondescript sign that states no firearms allowed. There lies a huge flaw.

Health Central has given a guarantee to criminals that people inside are defenseless, and by this policy has sown the seeds for civil litigation. Even though you have a concealed-weapons permit issued by the state, you cannot carry your firearm in, because hospital administrators have decided you are not fit to be armed. Honest people comply; criminals do not. The hospital has an inconsistent and flawed entrance procedure and should be reviewed promptly.

Edward R. Hagler

West Orange