Why Doctors Should Not Ask Their Patients About Guns

Forbes ^ | 2014 | Paul Hsieh

[Karliner]

Should doctors ask patients if they own guns? Currently, ObamaCare bans the federal government from using patient medical records to compile a list of gun owners. But following the Newtown, CT shootings, President Obama issued an executive order clarifying that “the Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare] does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) similarly encourages physicians to ask patients if they own firearms — in the name of protecting child safety. As a physician, I consider this advice misguided.

[Karliner]

Reason for this was I filled out fomas( about forty pages) at my docs office in the state of Clifornia last week and sure enough there was a "Do you own a gun? question. I didn't know whether to leave blank, put NA, . I told them instead this is not a medical question, it's a political question. Now that statement is in my medical records and wonder is psychology activists are going to file, not forget and sometime in the future check the answers twice. I could not find an article closer to todays date so posted the Vanity 2014 article. Any answers FReepers? How does one answer this question?

[Karliner]

Sorry for errors in my post. I have to run errands, first draft...gahhh

[jaydubya2]

Do I own a gun. No.

[stinkerpot65]

Every liberal is a violent totalitarian thug.

[Jewbacca]

They would assume a refusal to answer is a “yes.”

Just lie.

[JimRed]

Standard answer should be “Break into my home some night and you’ll find out”.

[Da Coyote]

Agree.
Use the Hillary approach: lie.

[circlecity]

"I didn't know whether to leave blank, put NA, . I told them instead this is not a medical question, it's a political question."

Always lie and say "no". ANY other answer or a failure to answer will put you down as a "yes".

[nobamanomore]

My exact thought. I own many, so I don’t own a gun.

[JimRed]

They would assume a refusal to answer is a “yes.”

Some entrepreneur should start a gun leasing service. Then you can honestly say you don't own one.

[TTFlyer]

None of your ******* business, Doc.

[RandallFlagg]

To quote a judge who was asked the same question by a reporter after acquitting another gun owner of a bogus charge:

“More than I need, not as many as I want.”

[rjsimmon]

Did. Right up until that tragic boating accident.

[Ancesthntr]

“No” is the correct answer.

“They” are compiling a database. Answering “yes” gives them information. Not answering, saying “N/A” or “none of your business,” etc. will just result in them making notes that you are being defiant, etc. AND that you own guns.

Just say “no.” It isn’t like there’s any penalty for lying to your doctor.

No. No. No. No.

[Yo-Yo]

“Doctor, I see your diploma on the wall there, so I know you’re qualified to discuss medical issues with me. Could you please show me your Certified Firearms Instructor certificate so that I know you are qualified to discuss gun safety with me?”

[Bonemaker]

“Do you own a gun? question.”

I’d say yes...would you like to see it/them?

[Ken Regis]

“...boating mishap...”

[bar sin·is·ter]

Isn’t that third one this month? Man you have bad luck.

[suthener]

My doctor’s just jealous because I have more guns than he does.

[Lazamataz]

encourages physicians to ask patients if they own firearms — in the name of protecting child safety.

Luckily, I have no children, nor do any visit.