Medical Professions and Guns - I'm Curious

[vito]

I have worked in health care my entire working life and in general, the health care industry is anti-gun. I do not know of a single hospital in the US that does NOT have a policy prohibiting guns within the institution. In some cases even LEO's will be asked to not bring a firearm into the building. Part of the rationale seems to be that a crazed patient might be able to wrestle a firearm from someone and thus become a real danger to others. But mostly, the no-gun policies seem to be the same stupid thinking that by prohibiting guns they will actually keep criminals from bringing guns into the hospital. Many, including physicians who work in hospitals come to accept the anti-gun philosophy of their institution without giving it much thought. If one were a criminal intent upon shooting someone, a health care facility would normally be a good place to choose to do it, on the assumption that there will likely not be anyone armed ready to stop them. Of course there are even more anti-gun facilities which give a criminal shooter even greater assurance of not facing an armed defender such as schools.

 

[Loosedhorse]

I reviewed the firearms policy at one local hospital. The policy clearly stated that "patients and visitors" were not allowed to bring firearms. No distinction was made between licensed and illegal carry; even LEOs could only enter armed "in the performance of their duy," not as patients.

It also, elsewhere, said that hourly employees were not allowed to carry firearms...but it specifically did not mention salaried employees: the docs and the admins.

There also was a policy in place that if you thought someone was violating the policy, you were mandated to report them. This had the effect of making it impossible to ask for clarification of the policy, because that could make someone suspect you were violating the policy...and so begins an investigation.

Did I mention: I know for a fact the CEO (an MD) carried daily.

 

[paramedic70002]

I carry everywhere that's legal and that won't get me fired from my job. I carry to my primary care Doctor visits. He runs his examination around the weapon if I forget (or can't - small kid in room) to take it off without comment.

 

[rellascout]

Like in real estate location location location... It is all about geography. In areas where hunting is popular & where a states population is pro-gun there are more Drs that shoot and own guns.

I do not work in the medical field but my wife does and we have lived in VA and WV and in both states she has worked with a lot of pro gun Drs.

I agree with what others have stated: I have never entered a hospital where there was not a posted sign prohibiting guns within the institution.

 

[Mooseman]

I have worked in health care my entire working life and in general, the health care industry is anti-gun. I do not know of a single hospital in the US that does NOT have a policy prohibiting guns within the institution. In some cases even LEO's will be asked to not bring a firearm into the building.

I've often wondered if this is really a sign that an institution is anti-gun or is it more along the lines of decreasing liability in case something happens.

Technically I am not allowed to carry to work but I do because of the area. My employers know that I have a carry permit and go to the range regularly. I don't tell them I carry and they don't ask.

 

[Ignition Override]

Shadow 7D:
Months ago, English people living in Memphis told me that not only was the UK Parliament trying to prohibit sales of knives to anybody under a certain age, but they were trying to convert beer mugs from glass or ceramic to plastic.

Pubs in bad areas seem to have a large problem with Assault Mugs.

 

[Mooseman]

There was an assault across the street this week. Bunch of the local highschoolers beating each other up. The one weapon I happened to notice was a rock in a sock. Time to prohibit socks.

 

[Usmc-1]

Y a gotta figure with the amount of time we've been at war now , there has to be lots of medical professionals who carry or are into guns , I never met a doc who was in the military who wasnt , maybe there are I dont know!

 

[Daveboone]

I am an RN.
I have many professional acquaintances who are avid hunters/ gun owners.
From what I see at work and knowing the hours the docs put in, I doubt many of them have the time for much time online outside of professional matters.
Considering the moronic way most gun injuries are allowed to happen that we see (from accidental discharges, drunken assaults, "unloaded" guns going off,etc.) I think it is entirely appropriate for the docs in our inner city hospital to inquire about potential home hazards... like guns. In the more rural setting where I live, it is unlikely to be asked.

 

[9MMare]

While I can understand any medical professional not liking guns because they can see the damage that they do or a regular basis....it should be the same with cars....and I bet (almost) all docs drive. And all of them have a much better chance of causing harm with the car any day of the week.

Edit: sorry, I'm still working on my morning coffee....I got a bit off topic there.

 

[9MMare]

Respiatory Therapist in a trauma center here. We see several gsws a week, sometimes several a day. Unlike the poster above, a negligent dc wound is rare for us. Usualy, it's young blak guys that shoot each other, older whites that shoot themselves and guys shot by cops. We're all pretty numb to gun violence,we know it's out there and alot of folks from work have CCW permits. We've recently had an amendment our gun policy on campus too. If you make a gun on a visitor, it's not to be reported unless there seems to be a threat.

My cousin's husband is a respiratory therapist. What a job with big responsibilities...and underappreciated and underpaid! (In FL at least) IMO

 

[gc70]

I have lived in a number of cities and have never had a medical professional in an office environment initiate a conversation about guns by volunteering their position on guns. However, when my gun ownership came up (sciatica versus holster position, astigmatism versus shooting glasses, even moving my carry gun in the dentist chair), all of the medical professionals involved were either neutral or pro-gun. Now, my GP talks my ear off about guns whenever I visit his office.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Wow, 3 or 4 new acquisitions per month, can't really enjoy them all! Sometimes I almost wish I stuck with my 686 and 617. These things are like guppies.

The APA has some assinine statement just like AMA and the pediatricians. From what I see they espouse the same nonsense about waiting times, private sales, "education" about storage. Their website says they adopted the first four actions from the "doctorsagainsthandguninjury" site. It's so cute how their propaganda works, implying that anyone who doesn't agree with them must be "for" handgun violence.

Looks like they closed that website, and their page on the trauma surgeons association website hasn't been updated since 2003. Sebastian posts more in a day then they post in a decade.

There is a big difference between asking suicidal, violent, or otherwise impaired patients about gun access vs. the "ban them all" propaganda espoused by the association.

They don't get dues from me anymore for that reason alone.

 

[GEM]

Heard on the radio today that FL is passing a law against the pediatrician question set. That true?

It was on NPR and a very straightforward report. Interviewed Marion Hammer and the RKBA folks sound more sensible than the other side. Of course, I'm biased.

 

[1894]

From the NRAILA Update:

Senate Bill 432, introduced by state Senator Greg Evers (R-2), was heard on the state Senate Floor on Wednesday, April 27 and the identical House Bill, House Bill 155, sponsored by state Representative Jason Brodeur (R-33), which already passed the state House, was substituted -- effectively creating one bill, HB 155. Yesterdy, HB 155 came up on the state Senate Floor for debate and final passage. The bill PASSED the Senate by a 27 to 10 vote and is now on its way to Governor Rick Scott for his signature.

HB 155is a bill to stop antigun doctors asking children and parents if they own guns and then telling them to get rid of their guns. Further it stops Doctors from denying care to children if their parents refuse to answer questions about gun ownership. To view a copy of the final bill as passed the Legislature click here.

A report of the roll call votes on all three bills and who debated FOR and AGAINST the bills will come later. We are continuing to work to pass the Concealed Weapons reform bill.

In the meantime, you may wish to thank:

State Senator Greg Evers and state Representative Jason Brodeur for sponsoring and passing SB 432 and HB 155 to stop pediatricians from violating patients firearms privacy rights.
[email protected]
[email protected]

 

[NMGonzo]

my stepdad was an MD ... now long retired.

He was the one that introduced me to guns.

 

[Resto Guy]

Drs. are like most of us, with similar interests.
Last month I was invited to the gun range by two Drs. that I know. One of them has a CHP and owns a large collection. We traded off on all of our guns and shot several hundred rounds. I got to shoot his AR-15 and Garand, my first time trying out those guns.
We plan to try clay shooting soon.

 

[Rick Roll]

Pro-Gun Future Doctor here (still in grad school...)

 

[whalerman]

What is a GSW? I wish people would make a little effort and type out names.

We've mentioned Docs, teachers, professor types, and others who seem to inherit anti gun sentiment. We question as to why. I'd submit that the people who are most anti gun are people who have been insulated from reality, insulated from life. These kinds of folk stay in a controlled setting for years, going to school and interacting only with others of their type. If you stay at in a university setting for 5-6 years then enter a work environ where everyone thinks the same, you are going to be the same. Individual thought is not encouraged in that setting. Docs stay in the same insulated world for over a decade. No wonder they all think alike. People want to fit in. And anti gun emotion is fashionable in these settings.

 

[Rick Roll]

Whalerman, GSW is short for "Gun Shot Wound." It is a common abbreviation in the medical field. Most docs are so used to it they forget most people don't know what the abbreviations mean.

 

[Tinpig]

My daughter is an ER physician in an inner-city hospital in Boston. I can tell you that there's nothing "insulated" about the ER at Boston City Hospital. She went to an inner-city medical school in New York and there was nothing "insulated" about her rotations at Bellvue Hospital.

If anyone has seen the carnage wrought by the misuse of guns, it's law enforcement, ambulance, and ER staff.
She isn't anti-gun, but she sure wants to see them kept out of the wrong hands.

Tinpig

 

[Tim the student]

Most docs I have met were pretty gun friendly. But, the majority of docs I met were in the Army, so maybe some of that "same environment" thing was going on there too.

My provider (VA, FWIW) now has never asked me about guns at all. She did ask what I liked to do for fun, and when I told her I like to shoot and fish and hunt, she didn't bat an eye. No lectures, no interrogation. Just a "be safe" - which I think she would have said if I told her I liked to rock climb, or mountain bike.

A friend of mine is a physician. She knows I shoot a lot. Her husband shoots trap weekly, and (gasp) keeps guns in the house. She may not be as pro as most of us, but she surely isn't completely anti either. If she was anti, I don't think she would have married the trap shooter, or spoke with me again when she found out I like to shoot.

Got another buddy from high school who is now a physician. He isn't anti either.

My experiences tell me that all docs don't think alike as far as guns go. Maybe most do, but certainly not all.

 

[-v-]

Doctors are very much the same cross-section of society as any other profession, so it's fair to say 1/3 will be pro-gun, 1/3 won't really care one way or another and 1/3 will be opposed.


The health-care fields other insistence of anti-firearms is in part liability concern. Like the above example of a lady having a panic attack on the plane. If you're an MD you are acutely aware of the threat of being sued, and equally aware that your malpractice insurance only covers you when you are at work. Thus, its only natural to do everything you can to minimize your exposure to potential lawsuits, including taking the more safe anti-gun stance. I'm sure if you asked the AMA, they are also stringently anti-alcohol, anti-four wheeler and motorcycle, and anti-extreme sports too. No reason to give endorsements to things that can potentially cause bodily harm, or encourage risky behavior and result in you being sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars!

Plus, the reason we hear from so few doctors is that they make up a very small percent of all the health-care field. Taking my local ER as an example - a small 20 bed facility - there are 2 doctors in the ER, 0-1 PAs, 10+ RNs/LPNs, and about 15-20 other miscellaneous techs and allied health professionals. On a most days, the doctors are outnumbered by all the other staff at a ration of 10:1 or more.

 

[whalerman]

Tinpig, its the preparation of these people that causes them to be insulated. They attend school for many years, talk only to like minded people, don't get out much with regular folks. They are never short on ego and tend to have like minded friends. They know a whole lot about very little. They're specialists, but don't know how to change a tire. That's where the problems start. By the time they are working the "streets" the group think is already in place.

 

[Demarko]

Two of my medical professionals, one nurse at my doctor's office, and my dentist, are both pro-gun and the dentist I know carries (not in the office). That's definitely disproportionate to other professional fields I can think of.

As a side note (read: tangent): With all the medications that now have side effects that include "thoughts of suicide or suicidal action," I wonder if the question of whether or not there are guns in the home will become more common before receiving a prescription.

Would a doctor be less likely to prescribe, say, Chantix to someone with easy access to a firearm? Would some consider it a part of their anti-gun agenda (if they were leaning that way)?