How to respond to your doctor if s/he asks you about gun ownersip?

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Green Lantern

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No, not "get a new doctor!" - that comes later. I mean right then...

I'd assume the answer could vary depending on where you fit in on the scale:

A) Vocal pro-2A proponent
B) Someone who only a very few people, if at all, would know or even suspect you own firearms.

I'd suspect that if your Dr. is willing to go there, a simple denial might be better for you than telling him to butt out of things that are not his business (no matter that it's true). But if you're more of an "A" than a "B," it's not likely that they'd believe you anyway...
 
My response would be "I dont have to answer that question" or "None of your business" if he continues to push the issue I will walk out.

ETA "how does this pertain to what I am being seen for"? would be a great answer
 
My Primary care doctor is a lifetime NRA member and a vocal proponent.

However,

Should any other medical professional try to push the issue I will fire them, on the spot, and go find another. Hell if I've severed a relationship with a doctor because I had a hard time understanding his thick accent I sure don't have any issue doing so over inappropriate questions.
 
I would let them do the whole anti-gun spiel. Don't really answer the questions or just lie.

Then, say: "I thought doctors were men and women of science. The "studies" and "facts" you quoted or referenced have been shown wrong to the point of mere propaganda. If you had spent any time researching the topic, you would have known that. Perhaps you apply the same level of effort to your medical studies? What level of care am I actually getting here?"
 
Everyone should simply say "No." End of discussion.

Unless you're being treated for a gun shot wound, any questions about firearms are not relevant to your medical care.
 
They outlawed that in florida, at least I think they did? Going by memory, but it was a political angle being pushed through the ama, pretending to be about gun safety to protect peoples health and their kids, etc.

My take is, id tell my doctor I'm here for medical advice, not gun safety advice. If I wanted that id make an appointment with a gun safety expert who is properly trained......and didn't learn gun safety from a ama phamplet. Course that is assuming my doctor wasn't a professional gun safety trainer on the side. If I got a snarky remark back from said doctor id find a new doctor, but that's me.
 
Simply say that you don't think it's pertinent to any medical context. If they insist, walk out. And pay them a part of the bill since you were never actually seen as a patient.
 
I would just answer no.

However, if you want to educate your physician, remind them that it is considered a Boundry Violation by some to even ask such a question.

Dr. Wheeler did a nice piece on this exact issue a while back.

http://www.haciendapub.com/medicalsentinel/boundary-violations-gun-politics-doctors-office

I would also follow up with asking them a few questions:

1) What is your experience with firearms?
2) Do you have any certifications that show you are qualified to give advice about firearms? Fireams safety? Firearms Storage? Self Defense?
3) Do you feel it is malpractice to be discussing and advising patients in aspects of their lives that you don't have a working understanding of?

You would be surprised how quickly the conversation shuts down.
 
I would ask him how it is relevant to my medical condition.

Is the quality of my medical care dependent on me being a non-gun owner?

Maybe ask him what his sexual preferences are, or what his religious beliefs are, how he voted in the last election. After all, we're asking irrelevant personal questions, aren't we?

The only time I consider this a relevant question is if he is a qualified mental health professional and if you are a danger to yourself or others.
 
Anything aside from an outright denial will easily be seen for what it is.

You can answer 'yes'
You can answer 'no'
Or you can deflect the question and make it look like you have something to hide, in which case the answer is still obvious. I doubt any non-gun-owners would deflect the question.

i don't see how my owning guns pertains to my general health, and I consider it none of their business, so I simply answer 'no', and instruct my family to do the same.
 
I insist

I will INSIST that since he is asking me,then he must tell me all about his feelings on the subject AND if he own any firearms.

Then I will need to know HIS address before I answer his questions -- to the best of my abilitys.

Bet he drops the subject FAST.
 
My doctor of many years is almost as big into guns as I am.
If I have to strip I lay my pocket carry gun on his desk.:)

But if a doctor asked be anything about guns I would ask him,
What's that got to do with my medical problem?

If he insisted in his questioning I would tell him my having guns, or not, is none of his business.
Then I'd get another doctor because I can't stand being around liberals, especially anti gun liberals.
 
I simply say "no."

You have to understand something, if you don't want somebody reading your medical file to know you own guns then "no" is the only answer you should give. Anything else you might say could be directly quoted by the doctor in your file, which means anybody reading it can pretty much figure out that yes, you do in fact own guns and don't want to talk about it.
 
you have no legal obligation to be truthful to your doctor....if you dont want him to know you own guns, tell him 'No'......if you dont care, tell him 'Yes'.....i dont really see why this is such an issue.
 
They don't ask

Since I took off the carry weapon and hung it on the coathook opposite side from the nurse before I stepped on the scale.

They just skip that one now.

And when they ask if I feel safe at home, I just smile and nod.
 
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