A woman went to get an MRI last summer and left with a gunshot wound to her rear end, according to a new FDA report.
The woman went to her appointment concealed carrying a firearm. After the normal pre-screening, she entered the machine, still carrying the gun.
By Kimber Pearce for Guns America
Unintentional Gunfire In MRI
According to the FDA report filed on the incident, the magnet in the machine attracted the gun’s metal.
While she was in the MRI machine, her gun fired and shot her in the right buttock. A physician on-site “described the entry and exit holes as very small and superficial, only penetrating subcutaneous tissue.”
The staff working the MRI rushed her to a hospital, where she underwent treatment.
The woman is now “healing well” according to the report.
GE Healthcare performed an investigation after the incident.
Pre-MRI Screening Missed the Gun
According to the MRI staff, the pre-screening specifically asks about weapons. The questionnaire even asked the woman if she was carrying any guns.
The GEHC investigation reported that the woman answered no to all of the questions in the screening.
A safety manual from GEHC warns that entering the MRI room with “ferrous” or forbidden objects is highly risky.
The FDA Report and news coverage do not share the location of the incident. Not every state prohibits concealed carrying in medical facilities, and hospitals are often required to post “gun-free zone” signs if they don’t allow firearms.
Medical Facilities and Guns
A study from the National Library of Medicine encourages confiscating weapons in hospitals and other medical facilities.
“Weapons are commonly encountered by healthcare providers, especially in a hospital environment,” the study claimed.
Screening programs, such as the one in the MRI incident, have been effective in lowering the amount of weapons found in hospitals, according to the study.
Just because you have a screening, though, doesn’t mean the patient will disclose that they concealed carry.
Who do you blame for the incident? The patient, the staff, both?
READ NEXT: US Ally Sounds Alarm: Enemy Preparing To Bolster Russia’s Arsenal
MRIs can be a pain in the ass!
I know it’s extra expense but how ’bout having the person go through a metal detector before being allowed to go into an MRI?
The stupid broads fault!
I am a full believer in carrying self protection !!1 But this woman is a TRUE reason for saying ( DUMB ASS ) and causing issues about GUNs and safety. THAT GUN should have known better !
On a singable note. I have had many MRI and cat scans, X-Rays. NEVER have I not been asked repeatedly if any metal object ? external and internal. First process alignment and celerity of area, before activating the magnetic coils. Plus the positioning of patient on table before entering ?/ Personally I think this MYTH has been BUSTED . After thought ? I have heard of BUT DIALLING PHONES . May this was a but firing ? automatic GHOST GUN !
The staff is at fault. Those with concealed carry guns are used to not revealing them, so all patients need to have a pat-down before scanned by an MRI. The patient isn’t the professional in such high-tech medical equipment, the staff is. While it seems odd that a patient wouldn’t reveal the gun when it will be revealed by the MRI, it happened in this instance, and shows nothing should be taken for granted.