Doctor's Advice on Guns?

[Loosedhorse]

I am curious to what experience you all have had with doctors giving (or trying to give) you advice on firearms. I know this thread will probably include some "where do doctors get their firearms certifications"- and "what part of shall not infringe"-type comments; and that's part of the fun!

But I'm mostly interested in what your actual experience has been--what the doc has said to you, vs what you said in response. Or any printed info they handed you.

You may click all choices that apply, or post the right response if I missed some options--I might ask in that case that you still click the closest option that applies to you.

Thanks, all.

 

[303tom]

My Dr. & I hunt together, the only thing we talk about other than my health, is what kind of gun he should get............

 

[3KillerBs]

A pediatrician's forms once included the ownership question.

My optometrist is a member at the range I go to. His older daughters were on the air rifle team with my oldest son. So "Have you been to the range lately?" is a natural part of our conversation. And I did ask if computer glasses would be helpful for shooting as well as for my job as a commercial sewer (no, my eyes don't need them yet).

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Asked whether you both could go shooting together sometime!

Not only asked but took me to a members only range in Pueblo

 

[longknife12]

My Doc and myself belong to same gun club. Actually, I have shot and hunted with doctors and their kids all my life!
Dan

 

[sigpro]

Twice. First time. My wife was in labor, Giving birth to my daughter. I had brought a copy of Guns and Ammo (or some other Gun Mag) with me and it was sitting on the nightstand in the delivery room. The Doc see's it and starts asking me about handguns. He tells me that he has hunted and shot rifle his whole life, but doesn't know much about handguns. However, he is planning on buying a Glock, as soon as his permit comes through. My wife (who is in the middle of giving birth) is like "***!".

Flash forward six years and three kids later. I'm at my Urologists office, getting a Vasectomy. I'm wide awake, but numb in a certain very senseitive region. I'm very nervouse because letting some guy stick needles and scaples into my "junk" goes against everything i belive in. Anyhow, the Dr starts asking me what I do for a living, just making small talk. I tell him I'm a cop. He starts asking me about what I carry on duty, off duty etc? Asks me what I think about this or that brand. Then tells me the he shoots Glocks competitivly. Turned out to be an alright guy, and a Damn good Urologist.

 

[mbopp]

Eons ago my (former) doctor asked about guns in the house and if they were locked up since I had small children at the time. The only time my current doctor and I discussed shooting was when I asked for a blood lead level check. No discussion on gun safety, access, or children.

 

[cambeul41]

When my doctors nurse/assistant weighs me, I usually say that I am carrying a bit of extra weight. She giggles because she knows that I do not mean fat.

The doctor himself once pulled up my shirt to listen to my chest (I had complained of a sore throat), saw my gun, but made no comment.

 

[2zulu1]

I've only talked guns to two docs, one talked about hunting including grizzly in Montana's Bob Marshall's Wilderness Area that nearly went very bad for him and his buddy. The second enjoys shooting also but we didn't have enough time for a long discussion.

Haven't been shooting with either.

 

[EddieNFL]

My doc asks about injures and ailments.

 

[Usertag]

Me and my doctor always talk about Firearms. Honestly, I enjoy going to the doctor, just for the reason. He owns his own small building and has a Sig P226 in his office (addicts go in and out).

 

[AABEN]

If you do not know the DR do not tell him any thing. Some DR will get your guns taken away!!!!

 

[Overkilll0084]

Last month I went for my 1st annual checkup several years I asked the doc (civilian doc working at a military clinic) about ordering tests for lead levels. He asked why, so I explained that I was a shooter & reloader and that I worked with cast bullets a lot. He replied that he would order mercury as well due to it being an issue with priming compounds. It turns out that he is a shooter and on-again/off-again reloader. He went through the whole hygiene spiel and so forth. We actually had a nice chat about shooting and such. It was nice not having to explain everything to someone who had no idea & only a slight interest in the subject.

 

[Zach S]

I don't know if it was brought up before the end of my marriage, but it hasn't since, even when I specifically ask about my daughter's lead levels.

 

[Liberty1776]

my Doctor got his Concealed Carry permit even before I did...

 

[jcwit]

I go to the VA for my health care. At times firearms comes up, usually by me as what will ________ have to do with my hobby of target shooting. I've always gotten a reasonable answer and thats that.

I am always asked if I'm depressed or have suicidal thoughts. I normally respond that I'm depressed over the price of gas, and I have no wishes to harm myself or anyone else as I'm having to much fun enjoying life.

 

[Flintknapper]

Topic has never come up, but my primary doctor is an avid outdoorsman and supporter of the RKBA so I don't expect that from him.

However, IF the subject ever comes up (with another Dr. in a negative way), I will nip that conversation "in the bud" in a way that is sure to be memorable for him/her.

 

[nearlynormalmike]

I am a doc, but I don't play one on TV. Radiologist.

The fact that I a forum member should tell you how I feel. The majority of docs with whom I work here in South Georgia are hunters and gun owners. Some are gun neutral, and very few, if any, I know being anti.

Being a physician does not make us any different than the rest of our country. We do have more exposure to negative aspects of firearms than the general public, but so do police officers and other first responders. It is part of the job and it is never enjoyable.

When I do my preaching on a health related subject it is usually the ills of tobacco, failure to use seat belts, and cell phone or alcohol use while driving. However no one ever follows my advice anyway.

JUST BE SAFE OUT THERE!
It is true that an ounce of prevention is often worth several tons of cure.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Nothing, Really

During the "meet-n-greet" cycle of getting to know our latest GP, I noted the "do you have guns in the home" question on the intake profile form.

No other "object" questions, just the "guns?" thing. No "activity" questions (do you swim/boat/ski/sky-dive) either.

I mentioned it to him: "Kinda odd having a political question on a medical questionnaire." I'm apparently not the first one to remark on that.

He was kinda sheepish. Not his idea, evidently. "It's a standard form that we get from the association." They download them as PDF files and print them out.

Pretty much the majority of folks up here are a "yes" answer on that question.

 

[mortablunt]

I visited a doctor nearby so I could get my ADHD prescription, as well as get a medical opinion on the chronic cough I had. This was back when I had the pothead roommate. I am never going to patronize her again. I was told to get rid of the gun at home period, because I was putting everyone there in jeopardy. She was also the person who only would write me a 30 day supply for some bogus reason, and told me that out of everything I was experiencing, my 2 month and worsening cough was caused by DUSTY BEDSHEETS & AN ALLEGIC REACTION TO DETERGENT! How does she find the door to her own office?

 

[hso]

Heck, my ENT surgeon went to a gun show before my scheduled surgery looking for a pistol for himself. He shot long range precision in TX when a Resident.

My daughter's pediatrician did ask about guns we had. He wanted to know where he could get a dressed up 10/22 like my daughter's.

My GP plans on coming over and learning to shoot handguns "soon".

Staff at my wife's clinic came down and I did a basic handgun training session for them.

 

[Loosedhorse]

"It's a standard form that we get from the association."

I wish that could be pinned down.

I haven't been able to find at the AMA website a "standard form" for patient medical histories. I have found some for specific medical groups/HMOs. For example, this one contains (besides sections on sexuality, socioeconomics, substance use, etc.) a "safety" section:

• Do use seatbelts consistently? No Yes
• Do you use a bike helmet regularly? NA No Yes
• Is violence at home a concern for you? No Yes
• Do you feel safe in your current relationship? NA No Yes
• Do you have a gun in your home? No Yes

I've looked at a few of these forms over time--especially pediatric ones--but I haven't seen an "association" one that asks a gun question without reference to any other safety questions. But I'm looking.

 

[armoredman]

My former doctor was very cool about it, my new doc, don't know yet.
When I had my puppy at the vet, I ended up talking guns with the Doc and his assistant for some time, both caught on because of my CZ hat, shirt and belt buckle.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The subject never came up with either my GP or my Cardiologist but my dentist is an avid shooter and keeps an SKS in his office.

 

[Dnaltrop]

My Doc asked if they were stored properly, and that the kids were taught to be safe around them. He's a younger guy (compared to my usual choices, but the wife got tired of my doctors retiring) and as we have so few GP's out there, I let him check his mental boxes, and feel good about doing his job. Don't need another one giving up and becoming a Specialist.

He also suggested that I get regular tests for my lead levels. Those turned out to be just under 20ppm if I recall, just on the cusp of "worrisome". I'm due for my next battery, just have to stop procrastinating the appointment. Next time I'll also order the second, longer-term lead level test, (zinc protoporphyrin/ ZPP... See, I didn't forget it!) on top of the Blood Lead Level.

Good old weird Portland, The Doc hasn't inquired, but his Nurse has asked me about range memberships for her Husband and son.