Historically, the VA is very slow to read their memos.
I thought it was just AG Holder who didn't read his memos...
He said the doctor and patient have to develop a relationship of trust and that if parents won't answer such basic safety questions, they cannot trust each other about more important health issues.
Sure Doc, as long as we're being so open and trusting, howsabout you give me your debit card number and PIN? Hey, it's a "basic" question!
A couple of points I'd like to make, but first, very good discussion, some interesting points of view.
One I constantly see here, however, is the almost absolute certainty that firearm safety with children MUST mean locking all guns up all the time. Nope. I have a safe that unused firearms are stored in, but personal protection firearms are constantly out, loaded, and usually worn. My son saw a gun on my hip before he could say "dada". He has seen all kinds of guns in all kinds of places, being cleaned, at the range, or even just out for photography,
The firearm in this old picture is very much loaded with a live round under the hammer. My son survived the experience. Would this next one cause the AMA to have a collective heart attack?
He sees Daddy's guns as just another tool, for work and fun, and doesn't really care unless I am inviting him to the range - then it's all smiles. Only thing he gives me grief about is smoking my pipe!
So let's junk this all guns must be constantly locked away for Junior's protection. Active education from loving parents goes far more than hoping small fry won't find the key to the gun safe. Yes, do not leave loaded guns laying about where uneducated or unsafe/ignorant children may access them - when my son's little friends come over, nothing is visible at all, and all SD firearms are under adult direct control. I can't vouch for their parents' "raisin's" nor children's education, and they haven't asked me to teach them. But I refuse to believe that every single firearm in my home must be unloaded and locked up behind steel for fear it may poison my small one's mind or suddenly leap to attack him. Try Massad Ayoobs Gun Proof Your Children pamphlet for a bit more advice.
Last thing, DPotvin said this,
That’s the AAP’s position, not the individual doctors. They may be required to join that organization the same as if I worked for a unionized company. That doesn’t mean I agree with the unions political stances.
Again I love living in a Free State - I fired one union for exactly that - playing politics with my dues in a way I didn't like. being this is a Right To Work state, I found a different union with a better legal plan, and joined that one instead. If a doctor broke my personal boundaries that I set, I will fire him and find another doctor. But, being this is AZ, I haven't had that issue yet.
Heck, one of the docs that helped my son during his 103 days in NICU after being a preemie came down to the gunshop I worked at and bought a rifle.
Oh, and how badly has all this "exposure" hurt my son? Ask him yourself.