Doctor's Advice on Guns?

I've never had the subject come up with any of my MD's. But, it was a question on a medical evaluation form with my insurance company.

There's been some talk that it's a backdoor attempt for the Fed's to identify gun owners by having doctors make the inquiry and the information then is entered into the "Central data base" mandated by Obamacare. That would in turn allow access to that information by CDC, etc. and who know what other government agencies. Truth or fiction? Your guess is as good as mine. But... Are there guns in my house?.. Guns, Guns, what are guns?

When I filled out the questionaire at the doctor's office it asked if I had guns in the house. I replied NO. None of their damn business.tom.

Been seeing military docs pretty much the last eleven years. None ever winked an eye.

Was talking with my doctor subject of suppressors (silencers) came up and he made the comment " why does anybody need one?" My reply: "As a doctor you should be aware of the benefits of discharging a firearm without hearing protection, and the suppressor will trap some of the gas from the ammunition so there are fewer fumes being inhaled." He thought about if for a second then tried to tell me the 200 dollar cost is not worth it.

I checked "Asked if he could go shooting sometime..." although that was as close as I could come to the question.

Actually, my M.D., a spinal pain specialist who was treating me for scoliosis knew I wanted to try and get out for elk last Fall. He sympathized with me and asked where I usually elk hunted?

I told him the area and he said that that was a good area, but he hunted in a different unit. We talked elk and rifles for awhile and then when I was leaving he said, "Don't forget to carry a wolf tag with you. I'll have one."

My kind of doc.

L.W.

Never have seen the question on any form but my Doc does ...or did...shoot. We have talked some about guns/shooting in the past.

Mark

I am curious to what experience you all have had with doctors giving (or trying to give) you advice on firearms.

Click to expand...

I answered the last one because my Doctor and I have been shooting together. I sold him a nice Colt AR.

I had a Doctor visit last week. As mostly happens we talked medical stuff for about 5 minutes and talked guns about 25 minutes. He recently got a CMP M1 Garand.

A year or two ago on a visit I thought we were only going to talk but I had to undress. I had my carry gun in my pocket, so I placed it on his counter until we were done.



Personally, I would not put up with a Doctor telling me how or what I should do with my guns in my home. I wouldn't be very polite when telling him it is none of his business what I do with my guns.
The way I look at it is, if someone thinks they have a right to get into my personal business, than I have a right to tell them what I think about it.

Had a discussion with my optometrist, I wanted some advice about any special prescription for shooting. His response was "nothing special right now for your prescription. My office nurse carries a Glock". She came into the room and we had a nice conversation about shooting, carry pistols, etc.

I have a bi-annual exam coming up and I started shooting after my last one. My doc is pretty cool and she looks at patients holistically so she asks about my work, home life, activities, seat belt, etc. I will report her response when I tell her about my new obse...er, hobby.

My doctor told me trigger control was the most important aspect for accuracy.

My Dentist knows I carry, he told me "I won't hurt you, you don't hurt me, okay"?

The question of guns in the house is brought up verbally once per year at the pediatrician's office for a well visit check up for the kids. The question is asked of me in the presence of the kids.

I simply state they are all locked in a safe. I can't remember any questions going past that. The kids don't add anything to it and we move on to the next question on the doctor's list.

What the heck kind of doctor do you have that thinks its his business to even know if you have any fire arms or not? Forget that noise. Any doctor who mentions anything about it other than to share hunting or shooting stories, I'd tell him where he can shove that stethoscope.

The only time I have ever had any kind Of discussion about firearms with a dOc was when I broke my hand. I wanted to know how soon I could go shoot my big bore handguns again. He said "as soon as its healed!"

I've been asked and I say "No, guns scare me!"

hee hee hee!

Never been asked by my GP but my orthopedic hand specialist is a hunter too.

While at the optomitrist discussing my vision, hunting came up and the need for sharp vision, he ended up setting my contacts up one for near vision and one for the 'scope eye' as he put it.

I had a medical condition that I was concerned about when I was about 4 weeks out from hunting season, I told the doc my concerns and the potential issues, the GP advised me how to handle the condition while hunting in a way that passed no judgements whatsoever.

neither doctor could have cared less about my hunting and owning guns.

Seems like almost a non-starter given the number of neutral or positive votes (first and last option) relative to all the rest.

I've only discussed guns with a medical professional once, about two and a half years ago. My wife was getting an ultrasound. On finding out that we were having a girl, the nurse made the comment that it might be time for me to get a gun.

Thanks for the corrections HSO, been a few months and I'm conveniently forgetting to schedule my next needle-sticks.

It's not fun cutting your range trips down when it's your primary exercise.

I is Hape dat i kan spel protoporphyrin

I voted "Advised to train all family members in safe gun handling." because it was the closest to my experience. I mentioned to my doc that I thought the "safety" question on the AMA form regarding guns was inappropriate. Turns out he keeps a shotgun in the house and all of the adult family members know where it is and how to operate it. He was not offended in the least that I left that and the rest of the spurious questions blank.

The next time I'm given the form I'll X out all of the "safety" questions as they are outside the area of expertise of both the AMA and most physicians. If there is a place for general comments on the form, I'll add a short explanation. Or maybe even if there isn't.

If, in the future, a doctor actually has the nerve to make an issue of it, I'll probably ask to see his firearms safety instructor's credentials. And then perhaps show him/her mine.

Not to pee & moan or anything, but I feel that the poll options were a bit specific. There wasn't one that really matched my answer. Still a great idea and well presented.

My doctor asked me if I own a gun--I took it out--took out the bullets & handed it to him.
He said " nice--where can I get one"
I said you can't as they don't make this one anymore.
End session.

I am on the other side of the table since I am a doctor and I grew up with guns starting in Alaska. I wasn't aware that there is some big movement to discuss gun safety with my patients, in part because I have been retired for 5 years now.

I did discuss firearms with many of my patients who were hunters, military and LEO's. Just part of getting to know my patients.

I personally believe docs have no right to discuss guns, UNLESS they are pediatricians wanting to make sure that guns are locked up away from kids. That is probably a legitimate concern like making sure the electric plugs have child proof covers on them.

But in general, not an item on my list to discuss with patients at all.

Pediatrician told me not to cast bullets in the house and to have special clothes that were worn during casting and reloading, esp. gloves, and to keep these seperate from regular clothes, changed before resuming regular activities, and wash seperately. Good advice, really.