Questions from my Doctor

Status
Not open for further replies.
Questions back...

Dr... Before considering answering your questions related to firearms I have a few questions I'll be asking you so that I may ascertain your ability to clearly understand my answers should I agree to respond.

1) What training do you have regarding firearms and their use and if so where did you complete you training and education.

2) Have you ever fired a firearm.

3) How familiar are you with all the various types of firearms. Explain the difference between revolver/pistol/shotgun/rifle.

4) Demonstrate you knowledge regarding double action and single action and to what firearms these terms might apply.

5) Explain the term fully automatic firearm and name at least one example.

6) Name at least 6 metallic cartridge designations.

7) Name at least 3 metallic cartridge designations that can be fired in both a handgun and rifle.

8) Describe a shotgun and name at least 3 common designations (hint there are 4) fired from a shotgun.

9) Pick one of (handgun/rifle/shotgun) and describe a common use for it.

10) Describe the firearm Clint Eastwood made famous in the movie Dirty Harry.

11) Name two types of firearms related items that require a Transfer Stamp from the ATF.
 
ask the purpose of the questions.

If the response is 'routine' then ask to be told specifically how these questions are of medical import to your specific child, and what training the doctor has in advising people about gun safes and trigger locks, or the realities of the risk of guns for law abiding citizens (after career criminals, gang members, and wife beaters are removed)

Further tell him that it sounds like he is getting information that would help a robber...especially as he has access to the times when the family is not at home...like when they are waiting for their 9:00 appointment, and that in fact the doctor may well in the future drag his feet on seeing the patient in a timely fashion to give his partner some time to steal from your home.

he will of course bluster and say 'it isn't so' and then you hit him again with what specific medical issue this deals with for YOU or YOUR CHILD, and what training is he has related to advising parents on keeping a safe home, and to justify NOT asking questions about stairs, swimming pools, and perscription drugs.

Ask him if he is charging you for this part of the exam, and that you object because this information isn't for the benifit of YOUR health or you CHILD'S health, may be part of a criminal enterprise, and you will be disputing the medical bill.

And then tell him as he is asking you questions about firearms for no medical reasons, you will be charging him for your gun related answers....just like if he had a patient that was a Lawyer, and the doctor asked the lawyer questions about setting up a will or a trust fund.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I have to admit that I'm a bit tired of seeing the medical community meddling in issues that have nothing to do with the treatment or prevention of disease. Yes, it is true that people have been killed by guns who shouldn't have been. Similarly, people have died from lightning strikes, car wrecks (far more people have died in cars than by guns), slipping and falling down a flight of stairs, etc.

I can completely understand why your doctor would want to know about your exercise habits, smoking preference, sexual exposure, diet, etc... These are all things my doctor has asked in the past, and they all seem relevant to effectively managing someone's health. However, I'd draw a firm line if they started asking about whether or not I owned guns, how I stored my guns, etc.

Funny thing is, this thread did remind me that I wore my gun the last time I went to my doctor's office (didn't even think about it, just threw it on as I normally do). Anyway, I thought I had a broken toe, but for some reason the doctor (who I like well enough) still needed to check my blood pressure, just as they always seem to do. Anyway, I took my jacket off, and got kind of a weird look from the doctor almost immediately. I'm a cop, and I do wear my badge next to my gun, so I think that calmed him down just a bit. Nevertheless, the look was priceless, and I think my wife got a bit of a laugh out of it too :) I guess it makes me wonder what his reaction would have been if I wasn't an officer?
 
Supposedly it's a mental health issue...

I wounder how the doc would respond to the comment that I find cleaning my guns to be relaxing, especially after a hard day at the range, with a good beer and a pack of smokes...
 
The easy answer is to tell the doc what he wants to hear. Yes I have a hunting rifle, but it is locked in the safe, unloaded, with a child proof lock on the rifle itself, at all times. I realize there are many of you who are itching to pick a fight with a doctor, but this will not be helpful. If the doctor perceives you as a gun-toting maniac you will probably only harden his anti-firearms sentiment.
 
My pediatrician did not ask me any questions about gun ownership, but we did swap hunting stories. There are still some decent people in the medical profession. My orthapedist is apparently a heck of a shot with his side arm as well!
 
I had a DOT physical about 15 years ago and the Dr. asked me the same questions. No children were present. I asked him what guns had to do with a physical and he said he was just curious. B.S. Its an agenda with the American Medical Association. They have always been anti gun.
 
It isn't at a national level. My grand children's pediatricians don't ask these questions. I'm 56 years old and my cardiologist (and the local health clinic as well)has questions about my education level on his questionaire. I always leave it blank as it is irrelevent. I have never been questioned about it. I would do the same for firearms questions.
 
In the Navy you didn't jack around with the corpmen or the dispersing clerks. They controlled your shot and pay records.

I fail to see how creating an adversarial relationship with my doctor can be a good thing. I see him when I'm sick or in pain.
I think one can demure from giving the info without the snarkiness suggested by some here.
 
It isn't at a national level.
It actually is. The American Academy of Pediatrics is the organization that came out with this crap and suggested to all its members that they ask this as part of the Social History, when a parent bring his/her child in for a regular check-up. I'm sure there are docs that don't care to ask this kind of question, but, the sheepdocs gladly complied.
 
What I meant by "not at a national level" is that it isn't a federal requirement as our pediatricians don't ask such invasive questions.
 
just because they ask, doesn't mean you have to answer. or, tell him the only guns you have are the ones attached to your shoulders.
 
Last time I checked it wasn't illegal to lie to a doctor, so on paper a blank doesn't seem to be a problem, if he asks in person just say no. I've never run into this problem but where I live gun ownership is kind of assumed, I've had my doctor ask me if I was all ready for hunting season which started the following week, and thats the only mention of guns I've ever come across in a doctors office.

Also something important to note is if certain versions of this healthcare reform goes through with government involvement reporting gun ownership to a medical professional would then go on your medical record most likely, and if the government then has access to your medical records, they have a record of guns owned by those in states that don't require registration. Keep in mind this is just supposition as I certainly don't have any details on the healthcare bills or which if any will get through.
 
I was asked similar questions a few years back when my youngest son broke his wrist in youth football. I politely replied that I did not wish to answer non medical questions and the doctor quickly and politely quit asking them. Not a big deal. Later that same day I asked our neighbor(a R.N. in the emergency room) why they needed such information. Her reply was that it was not to gain info but to make gun owners aware of the potential dangers of having loaded guns in the house that were accessible by young children. She told me if you ever had to do emergency procedures on a young child accidentally shot by themselves or a sibling/friend because daddy left his loaded 1911 cocked and locked on the dresser, you'd understand.
 
Ok

From my experience as a medical student, your doctors are not out to get you. The questions about guns are from a standard list of questions we ask. If you don't want to talk about guns, fine don't answer. For the most part a regular doctor will tell you to keep your guns locked up so that kids don't get to them and that will be it. It was mentioned for all of 30 seconds during our training on how to interview patients.

There are some anti gun doctors out there, but for the most part most doctors don't care one way or another. They even have forms that list these questions that doctors and nurses just follow the list of questions as they take your history.

It isn't at a national level. My grand children's pediatricians don't ask these questions. I'm 56 years old and my cardiologist (and the local health clinic as well)has questions about my education level on his questionaire. I always leave it blank as it is irrelevent. I have never been questioned about it. I would do the same for firearms questions.

Education level is another standard question on that list. The reasoning behind asking is that everyone has a different level of understanding of medicine. The doctor is going to explain how a drug works and how/when to take it differently to a Ph.D versus a high school dropout. If you don't want to answer it won't affect much of anything.

Once again, weird questions are part of the standard patient history. I'd rather ask you and get told its none of my business than not ask and miss something important.



Oh, and always expect a blood pressure reading on every visit. Hypertension is an epidemic in the US. If you're not getting one on each visit your doctor is letting you down.
 
Nitetrane is wise. Just as you wouldn't want to piss off someone who brings you food, you don't want an adversarial relationship with your healthcare professional. Nothing wrong with politely telling your doctor that it is a private matter.
 
My insurance guy asked if I had a trampoline.

Because backyard trampolines are a liability risk and are accessible even when you are not present. Similar to swimming pools without a sufficient fence and gate.
 
i think the two words that would be most effective in this situation are "boundary violation". your doctor knows the term. you should too. just google it.

Bobby
 
My podiatrist was telling me about the new Kriss .45 carbine he bought himself for Christmas last year. And my dentist goes after anything that runs, flies or swims.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top