Doctors asking about my guns?

[mcolford]

Went to the doctor for our newborn checkup. The nurse went through her mess of questions about smoking in the house etc. Then she asked me if I had any firearms in my house.... WTF! Why does it matter. I asked the doctor what that was about to which he immediately replies "Its not like were asking for some government agency or something..." He claims it has to do with infant safety, but Im unsure how.

Input?

 

[atvdave]

Politely say... None of your businesses...

 

[actaeon277]

Do not answer any questions about smoking or guns. None of their business. That's my opinion.

 

[Classic]

My answer would be no and I would like my family's records prepared to transfer to another Dr. I believe under Obamacare the government will have access to your med records.

I know at least one doc who is a shooter and I don't think he asks anyone about guns in the home.

Worse I have heard some Doctors are refusing treatment for anyone who refuses vaccinations.

 

[JB357Mag]

Or in the words of the late coach Bear Bryant,

"Boy, dat aint nun of yor damn bidness!"

Jimmy

 

[OkieGirl]

Hum...that is a very strange question and I would love to know all the details but that wouldn't be prudent in an open forum.

Pediatric visits should be covering safety focused questions like: do you keep the child in a car seat while driving, do you smoke or allow smoking around the child, and is the child required to wear a helmet (when they are old enough). To my knowledge, firearms safety is not on Medicare's list of meaningful use check points for pediatric visits.

 

[actaeon277]

Hum...that is a very strange question and I would love to know all the details but that wouldn't be prudent in an open forum.

Pediatric visits should be covering safety focused questions like: do you keep the child in a car seat while driving, do you smoke or allow smoking around the child, and is the child required to wear a helmet (when they are old enough). To my knowledge, firearms safety is not on Medicare's list of meaningful use check points for pediatric visits.

I have to disagree with you.
You bring your kid in for an exam, give the kid an exam doc.

 

[Classic]

Here is an article from 2011 that explains what has been happening.

Florida Law Bans Doctors From Asking About Guns - ABC News

 

[indyjohn]

My answer would be no and I would like my family's records prepared to transfer to another Dr. I believe under Obamacare the government will have access to your med records.

Changing Docs is a PITA, but after seeing OkieGirl's response (expert in private practice admin) I would have to agree with Classic.

 

[Tactical Dave]

They asked me also, pretty sure it is a standard question.... Lots of kids get their hands on them and accidents have happened.

If I remember right I replied that they were secure and they moved on to the next question.

 

[actaeon277]

They asked me also, pretty sure it is a standard question.... Lots of kids get their hands on them and accidents have happened.

If I remember right I replied that they were secure and they moved on to the next question.

They don't ask about cleaners, electrical outlets, power tools, etc.
They can keep their nose out of my business, and give the kid an exam. That is what they are being paid for.
I don't fix electronics, then ask people about the condition of stuff in their house.

 

[OkieGirl]

You bring your kid in for an exam, give the kid an exam doc.

I would have pulled out my best southern girl twang, rolled up my boys sleeves, had him flex his muscles, and told that doc "thems the best dang gun show around".

 

[Arm America]

They asked me also, pretty sure it is a standard question.... Lots of kids get their hands on them and accidents have happened.

If I remember right I replied that they were secure and they moved on to the next question.

Yep, standard question, they just failed to ask about household cleaners, sharp pointed objects, and stairs which pose safety concerns as well. Loose lips sink ships.

 

[USMC1811]

My wife said that question was on a list of questions she was given on her last visit to our doctor. Our doctor allows the patent to complete the questionnaire so she just skipped it. As most everyone here I too believe this is reaching too far into your personal business. I have the right to remain silent, now needs to be applied to the health care system.

 

[Classic]

Some Data

I couldn't find the stats for multi years and various state but here is some data on causes of death and how they compare.

1. Car Crash
~44,000 Deaths / Year
2. Falling
~15,000 Deaths / Year
3. Poisoning
~9,500 Deaths / Year
4. Fire
~3,700 Deaths / Year
5. Drowning
~3,500 Deaths / Year
6. Choking
~3,200 Deaths / Year
7. Complications with Medical Procedure
~3,000 Deaths / Year
8. Firearm Discharge
~1,150 Deaths / Year
9. Getting Hit by a Car
~1,100 Deaths / Year

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

My doc (a good friend as well) is a gun owner as well... I have it on good authority that he doesn't ask, and all answers are recorded appropriately.

 

[stephen87]

Guns?! Who lets a newborn shoot? They dont have the muscle to handle the recoil of my super powerful 9mm. I can barely handle it.

*insert purple where necessary*

 

[buckstopshere]

We are friends with our pediatrician and his head nurse. Took the girls in for their check up and he asked the question about guns both times. Said it was a network requirement to ask but I didn't have to answer.

I'm not sure why anyway is afraid to answer. You most likely have a LTCH so what .gov information are you worried about being obtained?

I said yes, several.

I'm not going to be ashamed of exercising my rights and I'm not going to lie about it.

 

[Classic]

Of course I'm sure I'm already "listed" by the fed, I'm just weary of the government continually collecting information on me and my fellow American citizens. When I still can I want my information kept private - all of it.

 

[Ted]

The AAP has taken the position since 1992, that the absence of guns from children's homes is the most reliable and effective measure to prevent firearm-related injuries in children.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/4/888.full