New Law: Docs Can't Ask About Guns

[Glenn]

I would never answer such a question in a doctor's office. Noneofyourbusiness.

 

[StSapphire]

I missed the first debate, so I will add my two cents. I don't see how it's relevent until it becomes relevent. What I mean is, you shouldn't have to ask it as a blanket question. But, if you have a kid who is depressed or showing other signs that he/she might be violent, then the question needs to be asked.

Anyone see the teen suicide statistics lately? And, we don't need to be reminded about the tragedies such as Columbine that have been in the news.

I can see both pros and cons to a Dr asking the question, but in some cases, it needs to be asked.

The general gist from the original argument basically came down to this.

Pro-asking: It doesn't hurt anyone if a doc asks as a way of bringing up the subject, there's nothing preventing you from refusing to answer, and it could be helpful in starting up a relevant dialog.

Pro-ban: It's unnecessary, doctors who wish to educate on the topic can do it regardless of whether there's a gun in the house or not, and there are some fears that it may somehow be used to infringe upon the freedom to own firearms.

 

[jillio]

I missed the first debate, so I will add my two cents. I don't see how it's relevent until it becomes relevent. What I mean is, you shouldn't have to ask it as a blanket question. But, if you have a kid who is depressed or showing other signs that he/she might be violent, then the question needs to be asked.

Anyone see the teen suicide statistics lately? And, we don't need to be reminded about the tragedies such as Columbine that have been in the news.

I can see both pros and cons to a Dr asking the question, but in some cases, it needs to be asked.

It is an attempt to be proactive, and prevent accidental shootings by children who live in a home with a firearm. How can you see the signs of a child who gets ahold of a loaded gun and blows his 7 year old playmate's brains out?

 

[Oceanbreeze]

The general gist from the original argument basically came down to this.

Pro-asking: It doesn't hurt anyone if a doc asks as a way of bringing up the subject, there's nothing preventing you from refusing to answer, and it could be helpful in starting up a relevant dialog.

Pro-ban: It's unnecessary, doctors who wish to educate on the topic can do it regardless of whether there's a gun in the house or not, and there are some fears that it may somehow be used to infringe upon the freedom to own firearms.

I certaintly don't see it as an infringement to own firearms. I'm viewing this as a strictly medical issue.

Scenerio: You bring your kid in for immunizations.

Doc: "Now, Mrs. H., do you own a gun in your home?"

Mrs. H bristles at the question.... and, asks "How is that relevent to this visit?"

I don't think it's appropriate to ask the question UNLESS there is reason to such as I stated above.

 

[Oceanbreeze]

It is an attempt to be proactive, and prevent accidental shootings by children who live in a home with a firearm. How can you see the signs of a child who gets ahold of a loaded gun and blows his 7 year old playmate's brains out?

I can understand that, but I still don't think it's appropriate for the Dr to ask the question unless there's a question that the child could do harm to themselves or someone else. Also, parents should have common sense and lock up firearms. I'd even want that parent to teach their kids about gun safety.

I realize that reality dictates differently, but I would also like to see statistics on how many children are shot accidently in the home. I'm willing to bet that a kid is much more likely to be shot out on the street .

 

[StSapphire]

I certaintly don't see it as an infringement to own firearms. I'm viewing this as a strictly medical issue.

There was only one or two users claiming that, but were very adamant, so I included them for completeness sake.

Scenerio: You bring your kid in for immunizations.

Doc: "Now, Mrs. H., do you own a gun in your home?"

Mrs. H bristles at the question.... and, asks "How is that relevent to this visit?"

I don't think it's appropriate to ask the question UNLESS there is reason to such as I stated above.

Consider it the same as asking about seatbelts. It's not particularly necessary, and if a parent doesn't want to answer, then there's nothing wrong with that. In your scenario, the doctor would likely respond with something along the lines of "I just like to ensure that all patients with small children in their homes are aware of how to safely store firearms when there are small children around."

It's neither entirely unnecessary, but nor is it entirely useless - proponents of asking aren't recommending that doctors should be required to ask, merely that preventing them from asking at all seems overreaching and a bit overzealous.

I can understand that, but I still don't think it's appropriate for the Dr to ask the question unless there's a question that the child could do harm to themselves or someone else. Also, parents should have common sense and lock up firearms. I'd even want that parent to teach their kids about gun safety.

I realize that reality dictates differently, but I would also like to see statistics on how many children are shot accidently in the home. I'm willing to bet that a kid is much more likely to be shot out on the street .

I don't have the stats offhand, but for young children, it was overwhelmingly in-home accidents, if I recall correctly. And essentially, ensuring that parents are aware of gun safety (specifically with regards to children) is the end goal of those in favor of allowing the question to be asked.

(I bet you can guess which side I argued in favor of in the other thread...)

 

[jillio]

I can understand that, but I still don't think it's appropriate for the Dr to ask the question unless there's a question that the child could do harm to themselves or someone else. Also, parents should have common sense and lock up firearms. I'd even want that parent to teach their kids about gun safety.

I realize that reality dictates differently, but I would also like to see statistics on how many children are shot accidently in the home. I'm willing to bet that a kid is much more likely to be shot out on the street .

If parents had the sense to lock their guns up, we would not have children dying because they got their hands on a gun that was not locked up.

 

[StSapphire]

If all parents had the sense to lock their guns up, we would not have children dying because they got their hands on a gun that was not locked up.

ftfy

Lots of parents do have the good sense to keep their firearms secured and teach their kids all about firearm safety. Those are all the ones we never hear about.

 

[jillio]

ftfy

Lots of parents do have the good sense to keep their firearms secured and teach their kids all about firearm safety. Those are all the ones we never hear about.

Exactly. Nor are they the ones we need to be concerned about.