Took the kids to the doctor, DoD form now asks whether guns are in home...

[GatorFarmer]

Have appointments (well checkups) to get the boys looked at today. The DoD, or perhaps just the Navy, had new forms for the intake/screening. A new question added is to ask whether there are any guns in the house. Interesting.

I refused to answer of course, which as usual means "Yes", but it's irksome that a Federal entity is poking about with such things. Supposedly the reason was to make sure that the "guns are locked up and safe".

No one asked if I had drain cleaner or liked to store roach poison in unmarked bottles in the fridge.

 

[Duke426]

My former doctor asked me this during a physical. My reply was, "Its none of your gxxxxxx fxxxxxx business!" I then let him know the appointment was over and that he was my FORMER physician. He didn't know how to respond. I was dissatisfied and was thinking of changing doctors anyway so this gave me a convenient out.

 

[rocketdog]

Was there a question about knives, hammers, hatchets, screwdrivers, baseball bats, bricks, rocks, chainsaws, lawnmower gasoline?

 

[GatorFarmer]

Originally posted by Duke426:
My former doctor asked me this during a physical. My reply was, "Its none of your gxxxxxx fxxxxxx business!" I then let him know the appointment was over and that he was my FORMER physician. He didn't know how to respond. I was dissatisfied and was thinking of changing doctors anyway so this gave me a convenient out.

I'd heard of private practice doctors asking this, apparently the AMA had a stink about guns being a hazard to children and put out information about this to pediatricians at one point.

What concerned me was that this happened to me at a Naval Clinic (I'm a military dependent) and that the question was on the form used for the official (DoD) medical record entry.

 

[feralmerril]

I dont know if it was another site or this one, but about a year ago it was a big topic. Think it was claimed something to do about insurance instigated for doctors and/or hospital?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'd say.
"No. I do have some rat poison, drain cleaner, hydrochloric acid, 7-dust, Diazanon and antifreeze and two cans of lead paint though."

Well, my doctor hasn't asked that- never had to...
He's been out shooting with me and has asked me advice once on a gun trade.

All joking aside, I'd have been fit to be tied!

 

[deadin]

I haven't been asked that question, but my answer would be "Of course. Don't you?"

 

[bk43]

It was the Amarican Academy of Pediatrics that started this as part of their child safety program. The association is very anti gun but it sure suprises me that a DoD facility is pushing it.

Bob

 

[SmithEC]

Maybe you should have told them that you have so many firearms that you find locking the kids up to be more convenient than securing the firearms.


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[sparkgap]

My Doctor would never ask that question, because we would them spend hours talking about our guns. And his children wouldn't either, they also belong to our gun club.

feralmerril, I guess you can't change doctors, but some can and I suggest they check with their gun club and see what doctors might also be members. You might find one you like and trust.

Bob

 

[mississippi revolverman]

I am lucky I guess got a "cold MD" I was explaining the pain on my right hip and told him probably because I carried a 357 there for over 10 yrs as a cop the a walkie talkie for 15 yrs as a Construction Supt.

he asked if I still carry radio or gun. I said no radio but do carry a snubie 38 in IWH at the appendix position. His reply " just about to presribe that"

 

[Shuz]

Originally posted by SmithEC:
Maybe you should have told them that you have so many firearms that you find locking the kids up to be more convenient than securing the firearms.
This comment cracked me up! Thanks for sharing!

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[GatorFarmer]

I forget the name of the system, but all the information from the DoD form goes into a centralized computer data base that contains the medical record. Thus while a family doctor might hand out a pamphlet or such, or just say "well make sure that you have a trigger lock", a "yes" answer to this question would be tagged into a central data base. Any military member - or dependent - who answered the question would now have generated a record that they own firearms.

This happened at the Naval Clinic at Quantico. It was never asked before on any previous well visits, so I can only assume it is a new policy. There were a space/check box for it on the standardized form on the clipboard.

 

[gregintenn]

A new question added is to ask whether there are any guns in the house.

It's pretty much a given here.

 

[DJINCO]

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
I forget the name of the system, but all the information from the DoD form goes into a centralized computer data base that contains the medical record.

DEERS

Another reason to love Tri-Care Standard (or as I like to call it, try-to-get care). At least when you get old and retire, you can choose NOT to go to Navy medical and go to a real doctor.

Like others have said, if my doctor asks that question and doesn't like to answer, then he/she is going to be replaced as my physician.

 

[uzisandfloozies]

well, if you are living on base, you may have a legal requirement to answer the question truthfully.

however, if you are in your own home, the answer is NO.

more kids die from drowning in 5-gallon paint buckets than die from accidental discharges. they should be asking about seat belts, swimming pools, poisons, prescription medications, etc.

physicians focusing on firearms in the home are taking the politically correct B.S. line from the professional organizations, which are notoriously lunatic liberal.

 

[11B Lifer]

I know of no Army regulation that says you would have to answer such a question on a MEDICAL form. (Even if you are in military housing they would need probable cause to search your home.) I remember seeing something like that on a retirement physical form-I scratched it out. They're not in my food chain, aren't the MPs, and haven't read my rights to me.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I'm not military and live off base, so I'm not terribly worried about them finding out that I have X number of guns. What bothers me is that the question is being asked at all and that most people will probably answer.

 

[RobO]

Last time I bought a gun, the FFL holder asked me how many doctors I have. Doctors kill people, don'tcha know...

 

[Titan]

I would simply answer...NO, given that it's none of their #$%@#% business.

I can't believe there are any 'penalties' for making a 'mistake' filling out a medical form.



For those who've actually been asked, did any of the medical personnel explain why the question was being asked?
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