How do you guys answer this?

[Johnmuratore]

There's been a lot of talk lately about doctors asking patients if they have guns in their houses. I haven't personally been asked but a couple of the guys at my local gun club have. Unfortunately for me I see a lot of doctors and I suspect that sooner or later, one of them will ask.
I don't think its anyone's business but mine since they're all legal and all safely stored, but it concerns me if I just flat out refuse to answer.
Has anyone had this experience and how did you handle it?

 

[clang444]

How about - "Why, are you going to prescribe I get one?"

 

[jimmib]

I have not been asked that by any doctor, but if and when it comes up my answer will be....none of your business...plain and simple

 

[FPrice]

Throw the term "boundary violation" at them and see how they react.

It's slightly better than "None of your G-D business."

 

[arjay]

I would just say no.

 

[dougb1946]

"What is your training and level of proficiency with a fire arm"?
"How is that medically relevant to my case?"

My assumption is that I am paying the bill.

 

[MrSurly]

In this case, no means no....but ANY OTHER response will be recorded as 'yes'.

 

[Malpaso]

I would just say no.

I agree. My daughter was asked years ago by her pediatrician (she was 13 and had been shooting for 5 years). She just said no.

While putting up a stink might make you feel better in the moment, there are two things to consider:

1. The Doc is probably mandated by his practice, group or HMO to ask. He's just doing his job. Don't shoot (no pun intended) the messenger.

2. More importantly, with the new push for mental health regulations/restrictions for gun owners, all the Doc has to say is, "I believe this person may have guns and is potentially unstable due to his responses". Then you run the real risk of having your permit rescinded and your guns confiscated. Not worth the one minute of push back, is it?

 

[gboling]

I saw a news article on this subject a few weeks ago. The Brady Campaign to end gun ownership and others are trying to make firearms injuries a national health issue. Pressure is being placed on the Center for Disease Control to gather data to prove that firearms should be outlawed. Obama's present candidate for the director of the Center for Disease Control is a staunch gun ban advocate and is reported to be planning to require doctors to ask about guns in the home.

Look beyond the mainstream news sources and you will find more about this.

 

[scattershot]

" Why in the world would you ask that?"

 

[MichiganScott]

I pick gun guys for doctors. It gives us something to talk about.

 

[Fast-Eddie]

The affordable health care act and Patient Protection act as well as HIPPA and PSQIA have turned out to be Trojan horses for government to access, catalog and centralize records in the name of privacy, convenience and cohesive continuity of your healthcare and the HMO's are playing ball.

CS Lewis said it this way:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

 

[vipermd]

The answer is NO. But none of your business would be just as acceptable. Contrary to the peoples republic of Ma, a physician cannot say that " the person may have guns and is potentially unstable due to his responses" . Unless the pt exhibits true Sx's of psychiatric disease NO physician is going to say this. Also by saying none of your business your are stating that it is none of his/her business. To often people are willing to not confront a problem, you then end up with states like NJ,MA,NY,CA,CT and a government that will continue to push the boundaries. Time to stop them now. Be Safe,

 

[Malpaso]

Contrary to the peoples republic of Ma, a physician cannot say that " the person may have guns and is potentially unstable due to his responses

Because he's not supposed to, doesn't mean he won't. I'm not willing to take the chance because even if it judged to be unfounded, I will have had all my guns in "storage" at a dollar a day each.

I choose others ways to stop them without sky lining myself in the process.

 

[vipermd]

I guess we must all choose our battles and how to fight them, there is no one size fits all. Be Safe,

 

[GKC]

On the other hand, if you give a false answer, like "No", could it cause any complications down the line? Who knows. Of course, if you say "I decline to answer" like the 5th Amendment, it will probably be recorded as a "Yes" anyway. So far, I've yet to encounter that question at the doctors we see.

 

[bL9mm]

I think I know the reason why from my personal experience. Have you ever noticed all the new meds out there for every different ailment , but there are always unwanted side effects. Take for instance Depression meds, side effects for depression meds is suicidal thoughts ! Go figure. Or ever take ambien ? Side effects are cooking in your sleep, sleep walking, sleep driving, sleep shooting maybe ?
I am a Kidney Transplant patient, and I take enough meds about 9 different kinds . And some of the side effects are mood swings , tremors, headaches, acid reflux,cramps, fatigue, bone loss, rash, diarrhea , high blood sugar, Low sex drive and impotence .i have to take these mess to keep alive . So yes I have been asked this question , and he advised to lock em up or let someone hold them until I got used to the side effects . To each their own on what you might think what their doctors intentions were, but I am thankful my doc cared enough to ask

 

[JimmyRay]

I can neither confirm or deny....

 

[Watchdog]

Just. Say. No.

 

[snubbyfan]

That'd be a stupid kinda question to ask someone from a small town in the West Virginia mountains. Out here firearms are just a part of the home decor.