Strange question at the VA Hospital.

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I would have said "Yes! Let me tell you about my 14" Naval Gun. It came from the USS New York. Loading it is a great workout!"
 
zxcvbob said:
She doesn't have to ask the first question, go right to the second. "If you have a gun in your house, is it kept where the kids can't get to it?" Or even, "Do you keep your guns locked up when your not using them? Have you taught your kids about gun safety?"

"Do you have guns?" is still inappropriate.
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I see your point, but don't agree.

First most doctors forms that you fill out have sections with questions that do not need to be answered if it does not apply to you. For instance, if you are a man you do not need to fill out the section about menstruation, and all the related questions about pregnancy, menopause, etc. So if a doctor asks do you have any guns, and if the answer is no, then they move on as no other questions in that section are applicable. So your idea about combining the question with safety and kids would be a waste of time if no guns were present in the house to begin with.

As to the question being inappropriate, remember this is a doctor you voluntarily went to for help, advice and treatment. I've been asked what I would consider much more inappropriate questions in an every day setting, such as sexual habits, drug use, etc.
For that matter, I'd rather a doctor ask me about guns than do the old gloved finger routine. The bottom line is that your doctor has your health and best interest in mind when asking you all these questions. You can certainly choose not to answer, but it is not as if a government agent is asking you to divulge what guns you own.
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My family doctor's office suddenly instituted a "standard" questionnaire with all kinds of personal questions, including gun ownership.

I did not answer the questions. When I got to see the doc, after the exam was done, I told him that the questionnaire was inappropriate and intrusive.

Then I changed doctors.

My new doc does not engage in anything that is not related to the business at hand, and I have been with him for almost five years. If that changes, I will go doc-shopping again.
 
If you get a diagnosis of ADHD, PTSD etc. it can compromise your status in the military, and make difficulties if you decide to own a gun or want to get keep a ccw. Why even go there. As somone put it "it can come back to bite ya". It isn't an urban legend.
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orionengnr said:
My family doctor's office suddenly instituted a "standard" questionnaire with all kinds of personal questions, including gun ownership.

I did not answer the questions. When I got to see the doc, after the exam was done, I told him that the questionnaire was inappropriate and intrusive.

Then I changed doctors.

My new doc does not engage in anything that is not related to the business at hand, and I have been with him for almost five years. If that changes, I will go doc-shopping again.
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You are free to do what you like. However I will choose to go to the most competent doctor regardless of his "intrusive/inappropriate questions". If you shop for doctors based on what you think they should or should not ask then you are short changing yourself and risking your health.
 
Some are missing the point. The premise is wrong. Outside of the affliction at hand, gun ownership is a question that is included in a "profile" of the patient. Assessing risk factors related to guns is like your health insurance company finding out that you hang in 2nd hand smoke filled bars on a regular basis. They see an increased risk and charge you more for your coverage or drop you cuz you is a high risk for cancer.

It ain't being paranoid if it's true.
 
Some are missing the point. The premise is wrong. Outside of the affliction at hand, gun ownership is a question that is included in a "profile" of the patient. Assessing risk factors related to guns is like your health insurance company finding out that you hang in 2nd hand smoke filled bars on a regular basis. They see an increased risk and charge you more for your coverage or drop you cuz you is a high risk for cancer.

It ain't being paranoid if it's true.
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My wife asks the question and AFAIK it's not recorded anywhere. The record is something like a checkbox that they covered X, where X is an inclusive term for "wear seatbelts, wear bicycle helmets, knives are dangerous, smoking around kids increases their risk for asthma," and so on.

Not a doctor, and don't know for certain, but assuming that everything covered is part of a permanent record somewhere might be going a bit far.
 
VA does ask some weird questions

As a disabled vet I am there monthly or sooner, I am never shocked anymore to some of the strangest questions they ask, although I have never been asked about firearms.
 
This is yet another facet of the disarmament agenda.

And if you are suffering (or are otherwised "diagnosed") with PTSD for example - it is being "interpreted" by your gov as a disqualifier to own a firearm.

And instead of people having to lie and say "no, I don't", or being placed in a position where they feel they should object to the question and risk disciplinary action (if they are Active duty of Reserve) for refusing to answer, this needs to be struck off the "power to ask" list by the legislature.

---------------------------------

Je Suis Prest
 
I was asked this at a checkup at my regular doctor's office. I told her yes then answered everything else with a 'none of your business' response. Questions like how many firearms? ammo locked? etc. It may be nothing but seems very fishy to me.

Also on another checkup, same office different doctor, I was asked what I do for a living and questions of that nature, I declined to answer because all this information is going into their computer and I have no idea where it's going from there.

So now my policy going for a checkup is; immediate health questions only. Get in get out. Sad it's come to this (although one could argue I could just stop being paranoid but that would make life boring) :neener:

Edit: Not sure how they're profiling to ask about firearms, I have no history of mental illness, jail, miltary, depression, etc. Leads me to think they just look at you and decide to ask or not.
 
You are not being profiled; it is becoming a routine line at civil healthcare facilities as well.
 
Uhm, excuse me...

"As a physician I will tell you that there is no sinister monitoring by the gov't, political agenda or anything like that behind the gun ownership question.

Med Schools, when teaching Primary care physicians, teach health risk assessment. Thus questions like smoking, motorcycle use, seat belt use and, yes, gun presence in the home, since if the weapon gets into the wrong little hands, it can lead to catastrophes that none of us want.

They are just doing their job by doing a thorough assessment of the risks to your health in your environment.

I don't think there is anything sinister going on here."

If that is true, then why don't they ask questions like:

do you have any knives at home that are not locked up?

do you have any poisonous chemicals that are not locked up?

Do you have more than one story in your home?

Do you have a dog?

How big is your dog?

What breed is your dog?


I mean, come on. gun ownership is relatively small percentage of the total population. If physicians were really concerned about the majority of people and their safety, there are so many more things in a home that are present in every home that are dangerous and cause more damage than firearms.

For sure, these questions are snoopy and they are trying to get a radar fix on 'trouble makers' so they know where to look. the DFS will start with your kids - taking them into custody for their safety due to the presence of firearms. Just look at some of the crazy things that are happening in Europe. Kids taken away from their parents 'cause they homeschool. No guns needed.

And our gob'mint is hoping against hope to turn us into some eruo-style country.

DO NOT ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, AND DON'T LET THEM TALK TO YOUR KIDS OUT OF YOUR PRESENCE. PERIOD.
 
Just got back from my 6 month check-up about 2 hours ago. No such questions were asked. The closest it came was asking if I was depressed, once again I replied Yes, over the price of gas, we both got a chuckle and went on from their. NO I was not listed as depressed.
 
Just wanted to add 1 note, the reason I mentioned being asked on MY checkup is because going to the same doctor's office for several years I was never asked that in the past, hence I think it may be something new and would be interested to know where that came from.
That being said, I don't think the question is a huge deal just wanted to contribute since I encountered the same.
 
I would like to add, that after the initial phone interview, and receiving treatment for my injuries, I did go talk to a VA counselor. Not sure what his title was, but he talked with all returning OEF/OIF veterans about adjustment issues. I had a very frank conversation with him about problems I was having with anger and hyperalertness, including that I was an avid gun collector and shooter. We even talked about how I used long range precision shooting as a calming stress reliever.

Since that time I have bought numerous guns, renewed my CCW, and obtained a Type 03 FFL. Whatever is in my file at the VA, it hasn't effected my ability to enjoy my hobby.

While I feel it is inappropriate to ask about firearms, how they are stored, etc, I think the comments in this thread about your name going on a list that will keep you from buying guns are unfounded.
 
It means that PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder - is being seen as a "mental illness" as it applies to gun ownership. Which is a disqualifier.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill...bill=h110-2640
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No, no, no.

"Mental illness" is not a disqualifier. Being adjudicated as mentally defective or being committed to a mental institution is what disqualifies you.

A HUGE difference.

From 27 C.F.R. § 478.11

ADJUDICATED AS A MENTAL DEFECTIVE

A determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease:
Is a danger to himself or to others; or
Lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs.
The term shall include—
A finding of insanity by a court in a criminal case; and
Those persons found incompetent to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility pursuant to articles 50a and 72b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. 850a, 876b.

COMMITTED TO A MENTAL INSTITUTION

This term means a formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority. The term includes a commitment to a mental institution involuntarily. The term also includes a commitment for mental defectiveness or mental illness, and commitments for other reasons such as for drug use. The term does not include a person in a mental institution for observation or any voluntary admission to a mental institution.
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essayons21 said:
No, no, no.

"Mental illness" is not a disqualifier. Being adjudicated as mentally defective or being committed to a mental institution is what disqualifies you.

A HUGE difference.

From 27 C.F.R. § 478.11
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Thank you for pointing this out. I was just about to do the same, you saved me the trouble.
 
Could it be that the new Privacy thing you have to sign at the doctor. That they won't disclose your medical issues EXCEPT to the government should they request it. I would say it's just another list the government is useing to take away the freedom that the constitution gives us. 9-11 has been used as an excuse to take away american freedoms since it occured. "Those who would give up freedom for security deserve neither freedom or security", Thomas Jefferson I think said that. By the way how do you look when some security "person" check you and the wife out naked at the airport?
 
I had to fill out the yearly servey for my health insurance a while back and it asked if I kept loaded guns in the house. I just left the question blank and nothing happened.
 
AGD, it was Ben Franklin who said "They who can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety".

Dadof 6, the point is , why not ask about knives, chemicals, poisonious snakes and espicially a pit bull?

Fred
 
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