Posted on 05/10/2011 2:57:03 PM PDT by marktwain
As NPR reports, a Florida bill would bar doctors -- in particular pediatricians -- from asking their patients if they own guns. Gov. Rick Scott (R) is expected to sign the bill this week, which would make Florida the first state with such a law.
Scott's office would not release a timeline on when the governor plans to sign the bill. But Scott's press secretary, Lane Wright, told TPM "it's likely he will support it."
The National Rifle Association says doctors asking their patients about firearms in the home intrudes on Second Amendment rights. NRA lobbyists helped write the bill.
"We take our children to pediatricians for medical care -- not moral judgment, not privacy intrusions," former NRA president Marion Hammer said.
(Excerpt) Read more at tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com ...
Under what possible circumstances does a Dr. ask about the weapons ownership of his/her patient (other than a bullet wound in the foot)?
My doctor asks a lot of questions of me, but that one has never come up...
My liberal cousin is screeching about this. She hasn’t answered me about whether doctors should ask if children live in homes with pools which cause 6X as many deaths as guns.
The law violates the first amendment. They should be allowed to ask anything they want. On the other hand, you should have the right to refuse to answer, politely or otherwise. We have enough laws. It’s time for people to take responsibility for their own lives and ability to say “shove it” to people asking questions they don’t want to answer. e.g. don’t give out your social security number unless it is a financial requirement. I’ve given out false ones from time to time if someone is really insistent.
GOOD ONE
That said, I have no problem with a pediatrician talking with parents about common household dangers, including weapons, as long as they are also asking about pools, stairs, household cleaners, etc. Some do.
Guns aren’t a medical issue.
“Under what circumstances does a Dr. ask about the weapons...”
True story although a little TMI for some. When I was in labor with my first child, a nurse asked me about tattoos (none), piercings (ears only), etc... Then she asked me if I owned any guns. I was stunned and being in active labor, not really with it all the way. I asked, “you mean, in my vagina?” My OB/GYN laughed and laughed. The nurse got mad as heck. So, yes, this is a common question. My husband got to use a similar line when asked before a colonoscopy if he owned any guns. You can imagine his answer as to the possible location?
Sorry if my story offends anyone. It is true and I still laugh at it.
The American Pediatrics Association has asked their members to ask parents, in the name of keeping children safe.
Your polite refusal to answer could be noted officially as a lack of cooperation on your part, and entered in your medical record in some states, IIRC.
At least in my state the best answer to “do you have guns in you home?” is “I’m not going to answer that question, I’m reporting you to the state medical examiners’ board for asking, and I’m getting myself and my family another primary care provider! Good day!”
>>Then she asked me if I owned any guns. I was stunned and being in active labor, not really with it all the way. I asked, “you mean, in my vagina?”<<
My ex-wife used HERS as a loaded weapon, I’ll tell ya!
(I am LOLIRL!)
>> My husband got to use a similar line when asked before a colonoscopy if he owned any guns. You can imagine his answer as to the possible location?<<
“You can put that where the sun don’t... um, wait, you are doing that already...”
“My ex-wife used HERS as a loaded weapon”
LOL.
>>LOL.<<
If you think THAT was funny, imagine what happened when she went off half-cocked!
“... wait, you are already doing that”.
He actually left that doctor and found a new one. He said that he wanted a doctor that was interested in his health and not about owning/not owning guns. I mean the concern was polyps and cancer testing... not 38’s and rifles.
The government has been pushing this, and they have the AAP on board. Under the new records "privacy" act - actually the opposite - the government can get into your records to find out if you own guns, once the doc has pried into your business.
All this is doing is stopping the doctors from being good little government agents.
None of my doctors have ever asked this question (I would have responded that any firearms I had were lost in that tragic kayaking accident . . . )
There is more at stake here than just one person’s “right” to ask another person a question.
The problem is that the federal government will require the Dr’s records to become computerized and accessible by law enforcement.
If they ask me a question I don’t want to answer, I just lie to them.
It’s not like I’m under oath or anything like that.
If you cop to a shot or two of whiskey a week, too many will just put you in the raging alcoholic category.
Strangers cannot be trusted with sensitive information.
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