Bill would bar doctors from asking about guns POLL TO FREEP AT LINK

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | February 23, 2006 | By JANETTE RODRIGUES,

[trisham]

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



Yes
50.04%

No
47.84%

Undecided
2.13%

Total: 1363 votes

[Condor51]

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 :-)

[trisham]

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

[TexasRepublic]

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.

[mbraynard]

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.

[adam_az]

"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.

[sarasota]

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!

[Designer]

"I was happy to open my coat and show her."

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

[Designer]

Risk Management Advice to Physicians and Malpractice Insurance Providers: Don't Borrow Trouble © 2000 by Joe Horn crowtalk@theriver.com

That is great! Thanks!

[cyclotic]

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."

[magslinger]

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.

[tkas]

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.

[Galveston Grl]

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.

[Shanda]

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.

[Potowmack]

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.

[rudy45]

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.

[Atlas Sneezed]

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.

[doc30]

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!

[Wonder Warthog]

"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).

[magslinger]

Sounds like my Doc. See my post#51.