During the triage, the first thing I was asked by the medical provider was not what are your symptoms but instead, "Do you own a gun?"
I was stunned and taken aback. I was in there to get medical treatment for my constant coughing and bronchial congestion and their priority was to find out if I owned any guns?
I politely looked at the provider and replied, "That's none of your business."
They replied that is was a new priority with the VA system and they were required to ask the question.
I replied that they had asked their question, now they should get on to doing their job of treating the medical issue I had.
No one at the VA has ever asked me that question about owning a gun again. I'm sure most veterans replied the same as I did, probably in a less polite way than I did.
Doctors should treat their patients' medical symptoms and not be involved in political issues like gun control.
“In various states, including California, doctors can demand a patient have a psychiatric evaluation, which then prohibits a patient from possessing firearms.”
Good reason to lie.
But in Arizona, I’d go with, “Break in my house at 2AM and you will get your answer!”