10A NCAC 13P .0216       WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES FORBIDDEN

(a)  Weapons, whether lethal or non-lethal, and explosives shall not be worn or carried aboard an ambulance or EMS non-transporting vehicle within the State of North Carolina when the vehicle is operating in any patient treatment or transport capacity or is available for such function.

(b)  Conducted electrical weapons and chemical irritants such as mace, pepper (oleoresin capsicum) spray, and tear gas shall be considered weapons for the purpose of this Rule.

(c)  This Rule shall apply whether such weapons and explosives are concealed or visible.

(d)  If any weapon is found to be in the possession of a patient or person accompanying the patient during transportation, the weapon shall be safely secured in accordance with the weapons policy as set forth in Rule .0201 of this Section.

(e)  Weapons authorized for use by EMS personnel attached to a law enforcement tactical team in accordance with the weapons policy as set forth in Rule .0201 of this Section may be secured in a locked, dedicated compartment or gun safe mounted within the ambulance or non-transporting vehicle for use when dispatched in support of the law enforcement tactical team, but are not to be worn or carried open or concealed by any EMS personnel in the performance of normal EMS duties under any circumstances.

(f)  This Rule shall not apply to duly appointed law enforcement officers.

(g)  Safety flares are authorized for use on an ambulance with the following restrictions:

(1)           these devices are not stored inside the patient compartment of the ambulance; and

(2)           these devices shall be packaged and stored to prevent accidental discharge or ignition.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E‑157(a); 143-508(d)(8);

Temporary Adoption Eff. January 1, 2002;

Eff. April 1, 2003;

Readopted Eff. January 1, 2017;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2024.