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Bill would bar doctors from asking about guns POLL TO FREEP AT LINK
The Virginian-Pilot ^ | February 23, 2006 | By JANETTE RODRIGUES,

Posted on 02/23/2006 6:47:11 AM PST by SWO

CHESAPEAKE - A pediatrician who asks a child's parent about firearms in their home could lose his or her license or be disciplined under legislation being considered by a Senate committee today.

The bill would prohibit health care professionals from asking a patient about gun possession, ownership or storage unless the patient is being treated for an injury related to guns or asks for safety counseling about them.

Sponsored by Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Martinsville, the bill sailed through the House by a vote of 88 to 11 last week. A message seeking comment was left for the delegate; he did not return the call.

The legislation is opposed by The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics because it blocks a common practice by medical professionals to inquire about gun ownership and safety when they go over a safety checklist with parents during a child's regular checkups from birth to puberty.

"We saw the bill but presumed no one in their right mind would put it through," said Dr. Leslie Ellwood, chapter president. "We thought it was such an unusual bill that anyone with common sense wouldn't pass it."

The national group is closely watching the bill now.

Some local medical professionals are incensed by the bill and the rapid way it is moving through the General Assembly.

The bill also is opposed by several medical groups, including The Medic al Society of Virginia and nurse associations.

The National Rifle Association supports the bill because it will protect gun owners "from intrusive, unnecessary questions from medical professionals," according to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action Web site.

"We don't have an opinion or issue an opinion on guns," Ellwood said. "We don't say it is a bad thing to have around children. Our plan is always to find out how the guns are managed in the household so they are safe."

The national pediatric group puts out a guide on safety counseling for pediatricians under its injury prevention program.

The state-endorsed guidelines are used by not just doctors and nurses but by others whose jobs involve children.

Medical professionals are encouraged to use the routine safety survey to counsel parents about everything from car safety seats and child-proofing a house and backyard pool to bicycle helmets and fire safety once the child reaches the appropriate age.

Pediatricians use the checklist to curtail preventable injuries, such as poisoning by household cleaning products, not to be intrusive, say Virginia physicians.

"The bill hits at the heart and core of prevention and protecting our children," said Dr. Nancy Welch, Chesapeake Health Department director. "I am just amazed that it has gone this far and seems to be flying under the radar."

A board-certified pediatrician, Welch e-mailed three committee members from the South Hampton Roads delegation after being notified about the Senate committee meeting today.

Sen. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake, has a policy of giving each bill a fair hearing before commenting on it, said his legislative assistant, Karen Papasodora-Cochrane.

Sen. Frederick Quayle, R-Chesapeake could not be reached for comment.

Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said she thinks it's a bad bill.

"I don't know how it even got out of the House because a person who is practicing the healing arts, if they really have a child's safety in mind, would ask that question and others," she said.

If parents think the question is intrusive, Lucas said they can always tell the health care provider: "It's none of your business."

THE POLL TO DATE:

Should the state disallow pediatricians from asking parents about gun ownership?

Yes 49.25%

No 48.88%

Undecided 1.88% Total: 800 votes

Reach Janette Rodrigues at (757) 222-5208 or janette.rodrigues@pilotonline.com.

© 2006 HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; bigbrother; freep; gungrabbers; poll; surveillance; vageneralassembly; virginia
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To: SWO

Should the state disallow pediatricians from asking parents about gun ownership?



Yes
50.04%

No
47.84%

Undecided
2.13%

Total: 1363 votes


41 posted on 02/23/2006 7:44:31 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: SWO
They do this in IL now.

When our oldest daughter took her 1st child in (about four years ago) the Pediatrician asked the gun question. Our daughter was somewhat taken aback but told the truth and said no.

However, it's a good thing the Doc didn't ask about Samurai Swords, 'Ninja' and assorted edged weapons, as our S-I-L has a boat load of those. To paraphrase Beatrix Kiddo (the Bride) in Kill Bill Vol 2,

"He is proficient in the exquisite art of the Samurai Sword."

Needless to say we get along just fine. No wussies for my daughters :-)

42 posted on 02/23/2006 7:45:40 AM PST by Condor51 (Better to fight for something than live for nothing - Gen. George S. Patton)
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To: Juana la Loca

Good for you. It's none of their business.


43 posted on 02/23/2006 7:47:08 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: SWO

The first doctor that asks me that invasive question will receive a double-barrelled answer, "That is NONE of your G-d damned business!". Then I will abruptly leave and find another doctor.


44 posted on 02/23/2006 7:55:55 AM PST by TexasRepublic (North American distributor for Mohammed Urinals. Franchises available.)
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To: sarasota; stan the beaver
http://www.daisy.com/shopping/customer/product.php?productid=16141&cat=249&page=1

Same dang gun - 1938 Red Rider.

The other guy said go with an airgun, but this is an airgun.

45 posted on 02/23/2006 8:02:03 AM PST by mbraynard (I don't even HAVE a mustache!)
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To: Timedrifter

"My sister and her 12 year old son recently moved into my home after her recent divorce. Her son came down with an ear infection and had to go to the Dr and because I was off that day, I took him to see the DR. Within three minutes I got the gun questions. Do you have guns in your home? How many guns do you have? How are they stored? Do they have gunlocks on them?"

Answer:

Don't worry, juinior's been carefully trained to only shoot nosy people.


46 posted on 02/23/2006 8:03:02 AM PST by adam_az (It's the border, stupid!)
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To: mbraynard

Thanks for the link. My brother (in his 60's) was lamenting the fact that he gave up his original Red Ryder so I'm going to get him one!


47 posted on 02/23/2006 8:03:27 AM PST by sarasota
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com
"I was happy to open my coat and show her."

Heh heh heh. Then did you have to pick her up off the floor?

48 posted on 02/23/2006 8:03:37 AM PST by Designer (Just a nit-pick'n and chagrin'n)
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To: robertpaulsen
Risk Management Advice to Physicians and Malpractice Insurance Providers: Don't Borrow Trouble © 2000 by Joe Horn crowtalk@theriver.com

That is great! Thanks!

49 posted on 02/23/2006 8:06:50 AM PST by Designer (Just a nit-pick'n and chagrin'n)
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To: mbraynard

No, skip the Red Ryder. Spend $10.00 more and get a Daisy Grizzly. It has a much smoother trigger. Then push gun safety.

BTW, my doctor knows I have guns ever since I had to be treated for bad powder burns after a real wierd misfire. (don't ask, but I'll blame it on bad ammo)

All he said was "Well, now you've got a good story."


50 posted on 02/23/2006 8:07:06 AM PST by cyclotic (Cub Scouts-Teach 'em young to be men, and politically incorrect in the process)
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To: robertpaulsen

LOL
Fortunately, I don't feel that I need that form. My Doc knows what types of firearms I own. He is very qualified to lecture me on firearm safety. I would willingly trade all of my guns, including a family heirloom pump 12 gauge, for just the ones he has mentioned in passing. I would love to see his whole collection.


51 posted on 02/23/2006 8:10:16 AM PST by magslinger (Cry Havoc and let slip the yobos of war!)
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To: Hildy
I was asked this question several years ago for a routine pediatric visit. In front of my children I calmly and sweetly replied that if she would like to talk about my views of the second amendment we could do so over a cup of coffee, but today could she just practice medicine. I was never asked that question again.
52 posted on 02/23/2006 8:11:27 AM PST by tkas (Conservative mom)
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To: doc30
Who died and put doctors in charge of adults' gun safety proceedures? I missed the memo.

I want a doctor - not a nosey and condescending nanny. Doctors have enough of a superiority complex that causes a lot of problems for the medicine and public. We don't need to feed it for them. They tend to think too highly of themselves and too lowly of their patients.

The public should make doctors err on the side of respect given the profession's current trends towards control and the illusion of superiority that pushes them in that direction. It is easy to weed them out and worth the effort because in the end you have a physician that is truly worthy of respect as it is a mutual relationship. You need that relationship when faced with bad times. Some physicians today actually dislike and psychologically abuse their patients for being unhealthy. Some lower themselves to threatening patients with abandonment if they don't do as ordered. Better to find out who you are dealing with up front and see how their egos handle being told to mind their own business.
53 posted on 02/23/2006 8:12:37 AM PST by Galveston Grl (Getting angry and abandoning power to the Democrats is not a choice.)
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To: SWO
There are copies of "American Rifleman" "Field and Stream" and a couple othere magazines in my Doctor's waiting room.

If he asked me about guns it would be for my opinion on one he was considering buying.

54 posted on 02/23/2006 8:15:31 AM PST by Shanda
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To: SWO
The bill would prohibit health care professionals from asking a patient about gun possession, ownership or storage unless the patient is being treated for an injury related to guns or asks for safety counseling about them.

To be honest, I don't really see why government should get involved in the conversations between a doctor and patient.

If you feel that your doctor is too nosy, either tell him that you don't want to talk about such a subject, or get another doctor.

But a government mandate banning such a topic of discussion? That's even more intrusive, IMO.

There might be a very good reason why a doctor might suggest to a patient that they keep guns locked up. For example, what if the doctor knows that the patient has a child with mental problems? A good doctor would suggest increased steps to keep the guns out of the kid's hands.

55 posted on 02/23/2006 8:15:54 AM PST by Potowmack ("The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." - Albert Einstein)
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To: doc30

Maybe they can change the way they approach the issue. Instead of asking, "Do you have guns?" what if they instead said, "And please remember, in the event you have guns, to handle them safely." I think that would go over better.


56 posted on 02/23/2006 8:16:46 AM PST by rudy45
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To: SWO

The real solution when a doc asks an irrelevant private question that will become part of your government file in the long run is to stand up and leave.


57 posted on 02/23/2006 8:18:24 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
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To: Galveston Grl
Who said doctors would be put in charge of adult's gun safety procedures? No-one. People are paranoid like crazy that doctors are goin to be unwittingly part of some anti-gun conspiracy. They just want to provide information to parents to help keep their kids healthy. Prevention, in any medical area is far more powerful and far less expensive and risky than treating someone after the fact.

Going back to the article, the proposed law is an unconstitutional infringement of free speech. The legislature has no right to pass a law that restricts what people can talk about. Everyone on this thread is so worried about their losing 2nd amendment rights that they want take away other poeple's 1st amendment rights. It's disgusting!

58 posted on 02/23/2006 8:20:36 AM PST by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: doc30
"As much as I despise gun control laws, I don't see a problem with this. The doctors aren't trying to be politically corect gun grabbers."

Since the origin of the question was with an anti-gun physicians group, they ARE "being politically incorrect", or accomplices to that.

If ANY physician ever asks me that question, I will tell them it's none of their damned business, immediately leave their office, and find another practicioner.

Thus far, no doctor ever has (my primary care physician has lots of "Outdoor Life" and similar hunting mags in his wating room).

59 posted on 02/23/2006 8:20:45 AM PST by Wonder Warthog (The Hog of Steel)
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To: Shanda

Sounds like my Doc. See my post#51.


60 posted on 02/23/2006 8:21:14 AM PST by magslinger (Cry Havoc and let slip the yobos of war!)
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