Florida Bill Would Prohibit Doctors From Asking Patients About Their Guns

StillBallin75 said:

Alright, I DO think it's kind strange for a doctor to ask about firearms in the house. But I see no need to pass a LAW BANNING it. What's wrong with just saying "none of your business?" Why does there actually have to be a ban on asking such a question?

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Because Big Brother wants a law for every aspect of your life.
A patient does not have to answer the question if they so desire. A doctor's visit is not a court hearing.

How many here have ever had a doctor ask you if you own a firearm?

Perhaps in a case where a doctor expects some mental problems and/or potential mental altering drugs it may be appropriate to ask if they own a firearm. As an example would be the VT shooter.

I just find it ridiculous we need another law in our lives.

StillBallin75 said:

Backdoor firearms registry - how accurate would such data be without actual verification? Don't think the Feds necessarily want to trust info given only verbally. Plus if I were a doctor it'd be a pain in the ass to do this for the government. I'm a doctor, not an ATF agent.

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They have to call police over gunshots and doctors are not police,so why not other things?

As for the second situation - I pretty much agree with Ikari. If you own a private medical practice, it's your business who you want to cater to and who you don't. If you turn away a potential customer because he owns some guns, I might think that that individual is dumb for turning away good business, but it's perfectly within his rights to do so. The patient could go find another doc if he wanted, it's all about competition right?

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What if he is not the only doctor asking questions like this?

jamesrage said:

They have to call police over gunshots and doctors are not police,so why not other things?




What if he is not the only doctor asking questions like this?

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Then the individual should just move elsewhere because they live in an area where none of the doctors have any business sense, which means they likely have little sense whatsoever.

Whovian said:

lighten up... get a grip... etc.

This has NOTHING to do with who a doctor treats...it has EVERYTHING to do with what a doctor can ask a patient about their NON MEDICAL PRIVATES LIVES.

If you want to read something else into it, that is on you.

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This law has nothing to do with "what a doctor can ask a patient about their NON MEDICAL PRIVATE LIVES. And everything to do with it being against the law to specifically ask if they own guns. The law's stupid. Ridiculous. But it's not about restricting doctors from asking about your personal life -- just about gun ownership.

In my opinion, a patient's personal life is fair game to a physician -- up to the point the patient says, "**** off." I have a friend whose doctor refused to treat her as a regular patient because she drinks colloidal silver and takes herbal potions. She happened to share that information and the doctor told her to **** off. Heavy drinker? Smoke? Use drugs? Have indiscriminate sex? I'd consider those questions a doctor might want to know about. On all but one, I'd tell my doctor to **** off. But I can understand why he/she would ask.

Whovian said:

Florida Bill Would Prohibit Doctors From Asking Patients About Their Guns - FoxNews.com





I do not own a gun. However, I am actually a card carrying NRA member and I support fair and sensible gun ownership rights. I also support fair and sensible restrictions on gun ownership. The two positions are not mutually exclusive.

Having said that, I have no idea why a physician should have anything to do with gun safety. A physicians job is to medically treat their patients... not check on the safety of any weapons in the home.

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NRA has gone downhill the last few years. If you want to support the Second Amendment, try GOA. IMHO, they are a better organization.

MaggieD said:

This law has nothing to do with "what a doctor can ask a patient about their NON MEDICAL PRIVATE LIVES. And everything to do with it being against the law to specifically ask if they own guns.

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What does owning a gun have to do with a patients non-medical private life? nothing.

If the part of a patients life the doctor asks a question about has nothing to do with their health, the doctor has no right to that information. This simply makes that the law... that the doctor has no right to the information since it has nothing to do with the patients medical condition, history, etc.

Whovian said:

What does owning a gun have to do with a patients non-medical private life? nothing.

If the part of a patients life the doctor asks a question about has nothing to do with their health, the doctor has no right to that information. This simply makes that the law... that the doctor has no right to the information since it has nothing to do with the patients medical condition, history, etc.

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The cashier at McDonald's has no right to ask me about my sex life. It is irrelevant to the service he/she is providing me. Should that be banned as well?

I can see this from both sides.

For the most part, there's no reason for a doctor to be asking about the presence of guns or ammunition in the patient's home. And personally, I think that the doctor telling the woman to find another physician because she wouldn't answer his questions was out of line.

On the other hand, making it illegal seems like it's going a little too far.

There could be some very rare but legitimate cases where it might actually be relevant. Maybe if the patient was showing signs of lead poisoning?

And to be quite honest, it just seems unnecessary. If it goes so far that your doctor won't see you anymore because you won't answer questions about whether you own guns, maybe it's just a sign that you need to find another doctor. One that isn't a nosy prick.

Whovian said:

What does owning a gun have to do with a patients non-medical private life? nothing.

If the part of a patients life the doctor asks a question about has nothing to do with their health, the doctor has no right to that information. This simply makes that the law... that the doctor has no right to the information since it has nothing to do with the patients medical condition, history, etc.

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What do you mean, he "has no right to that information?" Read StillBallin's post. Should we have laws about what questions someone should ask? I think this is a most liberal position for a conservative to take. I'm very surprised. Can you say Nanny State? Oh, wait! I see a conservative position there -- less information is better. Yes, I agree with that. But by the same token, we don't need laws for those things. That's my conservative position, anyway.

Read CC's post. He's a psychologist/counsellor/psychiatrist ?. His post says that if he's working with a depressed patient, that's something he wants to know. A pediatrician asking that question (which is why this law was introduced) might want to alert his patient's mom that firearms are far more likely to kill a child than a burglar -- and give her some safety tips...tell her how inquisitive children are. Who knows??? It was a dumb question. And I don't agree with it, necessarily; but I still say that law is straight up stupid.

@ Molten Dragon -- Exactly.

molten_dragon said:

I can see this from both sides.

For the most part, there's no reason for a doctor to be asking about the presence of guns or ammunition in the patient's home. And personally, I think that the doctor telling the woman to find another physician because she wouldn't answer his questions was out of line.

On the other hand, making it illegal seems like it's going a little too far.

There could be some very rare but legitimate cases where it might actually be relevant. Maybe if the patient was showing signs of lead poisoning?

And to be quite honest, it just seems unnecessary. If it goes so far that your doctor won't see you anymore because you won't answer questions about whether you own guns, maybe it's just a sign that you need to find another doctor. One that isn't a nosy prick.

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Is there a disorder where the patient eats bullets for fun?

Nothing I am aware of the make you answer question a doctor asks truthfully I don't think you are under oath when you go to the doctor.

Now if you walk in with a gun shot wound the police will ask you all the needed questions.

If your Doctor has this on display, change Doctors on the spot.

Councilman said:

Nothing I am aware of the make you answer question a doctor asks truthfully I don't think you are under oath when you go to the doctor.

Now if you walk in with a gun shot wound the police will ask you all the needed questions.

If your Doctor has this on display, change Doctors on the spot.

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CZ-75 excellent choice

that doctor has good taste

not overpriced-Poldi steel, great ergonomics

StillBallin75 said:

The cashier at McDonald's has no right to ask me about my sex life. It is irrelevant to the service he/she is providing me. Should that be banned as well?

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A law banning companies,businesses and etc from asking questions about a customers personal life that have nothing to do with the service they are trying to receive? Sure. Big brother by companies is just as wrong as the federal government doing.

jamesrage said:

A law banning companies from asking non-related questions about their personal life? Sure.

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It just seems like a stupid law IMO. What would be the penalty for asking such a question? A fine? Jail time? Should cops be diverted away from more pressing matters in order to enforce such a law?

James - I already told you I'm not one of the most pro-gun people here, but I do think the doctor, under most circumstances, shouldn't be prying about firearms. That being said, this law just sounds stupid to me.

StillBallin75 said:

Is there a disorder where the patient eats bullets for fun?

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There are disorders where people eat strange things. I'm not sure about bullets, but I suppose it could be possible.

I was thinking more along the lines of someone who was doing a lot of reloading and/or casting their own bullets and wasn't cautious about ventilation or washing their hands afterward.

molten_dragon said:

There are disorders where people eat strange things. I'm not sure about bullets, but I suppose it could be possible.

I was thinking more along the lines of someone who was doing a lot of reloading and/or casting their own bullets and wasn't cautious about ventilation or washing their hands afterward.

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I have reloaded at least a half million rounds of pistol and shotgun ammo, i get tested for lead every year and am below normal readings. most pistol bullets have a wax coating (lubricant) that keeps lead from actually getting on you

shotguns-you don't touch the lead. the main thing is not to be eating stuff while reloading.

poorly ventilated ranges can cause some issues as well. OSHA shut down a lot of NG and college ranges in the 60's and 70's based on ventilation

StillBallin75 said:

It just seems like a stupid law IMO.

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I am sure people thought the same thing about drunk driving,texting or talking on the phone while driving, jay walking, speeding all sorts of other laws were stupid too.

What would be the penalty for asking such a question? A fine? Jail time?

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A fine. Perhaps a license revoked depending on the profession for multiple offenses.

Should cops be diverted away from more pressing matters in order to enforce such a law?

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If people file a complaint then it would not take a plain clothes police officer that long to stop by the business in question.

James - I already told you I'm not one of the most pro-gun people here, but I do think the doctor, under most circumstances, shouldn't be prying about firearms. That being said, this law just sounds stupid to me.

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So you think doctors prying into stuff that is none of their business is a bad thing but a law that explicitly says they can't ask unrelated questions is a bad thing? I have to wonder if that is you not so pro-gun side talking.

The thing about stuff like doctors asking unrelated questions is that is has a chance of spreading,so that it would not matter who you went to. Its like drug tests,credit checks and a lot of stuff. At first only a few companies did these things and a lot of people were like if you don't like it then you can find another job,then more and more companies started to doing it as well,so unless you want some ****ty job that pays under the table then you pretty much have to submit to a piss test of the possibility of a piss test as well as credit checks and many other things. There is also the possibility that they are doing this as a means of building a back door firearms registry just like what they are going when they take your baby's dna sample and store it.

ttp://www.debatepolitics.com/polls/65579-should-government-store-dna-law-abiding-citizens.html#post1058537471
The government has your baby's DNA - CNN.com

jamesrage said:

So you think doctors prying into stuff that is none of their business is a bad thing but a law that explicitly says they can't ask unrelated questions is a bad thing?

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"Unrelated" is subjective. This law does not explicitly say anything about asking unrelated questions. It simply says that a doctor can't ask a patient if they have firearms.

I can't even believe you're serious. Must be a slow night at James's house. :rofl

TurtleDude said:

shotguns-you don't touch the lead. the main thing is not to be eating stuff while reloading.

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Wait...there are people actually dumb enough to each while reloading ammo?

Never mind, I can think of some who are that dumb....good lord.

What I find odd about this is how it is kinda turning some people away from their supposed ideal. Liberals are arguing against a business legislation(some, not all), while conservatives are arguing for a more restrictive business regulation(again, some, not all).

Without seeing the actual language of the bill, I cannot really judge it. Would a doctor or nurse making housecalls be able to ask(I think they should be able to at least ask)? How about a psychiatrist(yes, they are doctors) dealing with a suicidal patient as CC suggests(again, they should be able to)? I would have no problem with the bill, as long as there is some sort of common sense exceptions to it. There are times it would be reasonable for a doctor to ask. Another example: dealing with patients either on meds that affect judgement, or with Alzheimer or related issues that degrade judgement. I could see in those cases it being very worthwhile for a doctor to ask.

jamesrage said:

I am sure people thought the same thing about drunk driving,texting or talking on the phone while driving, jay walking, speeding all sorts of other laws were stupid too.

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And some people think Obamacare is stupid. There are good laws, and there are stupid laws. What's your point? You must LOVE the three-day waiting period laws, right?

So you think doctors prying into stuff that is none of their business is a bad thing but a law that explicitly says they can't ask unrelated questions is a bad thing? I have to wonder if that is you not so pro-gun side talking.

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Yes, both are stupid. A law that says you can't ask a certain question is okay? Are u frickin serious? If the doctor doesn't need to know then he has no business asking. If the patient thinks its irrelevant it is within his/her rights to say "none ya business." Why the **** do we need a law making asking questions illegal? I've already given you my views on the firearm registration.

The thing about stuff like doctors asking unrelated questions is that is has a chance of spreading,so that it would not matter who you went to. Its like drug tests,credit checks and a lot of stuff. At first only a few companies did these things and a lot of people were like if you don't like it then you can find another job,then more and more companies started to doing it as well,so unless you want some ****ty job that pays under the table then you pretty much have to submit to a piss test of the possibility of a piss test as well as credit checks and many other things. There is also the possibility that they are doing this as a means of building a back door firearms registry just like what they are going when they take your baby's dna sample and store it.

ttp://www.debatepolitics.com/polls/65579-should-government-store-dna-law-abiding-citizens.html#post1058537471
The government has your baby's DNA - CNN.com

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If doctors have no business asking, then they usually won't ask. If you are offended by the question, find another doctor. Doctors, as a profession, aren't out to get gun owners. What problem is it that you have with drug tests and credit checks anyway?

jamesrage said:

I am sure people thought the same thing about drunk driving,texting or talking on the phone while driving, jay walking, speeding all sorts of other laws were stupid too.

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You are actually equating a law from preventing a doctor asking a question to drunk driving?

From the country that allows a stupid bimbo getting spilled with hot coffee while driving to win a lawsuit.

CaptainCourtesy said:

If I have a patient who is suicidal, ethically and legally I need to ask them about their access to act on this suicidality. I always ask if their are guns or other weapons available.

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Wouldn't that also extend to, say, a patient with injuries that appear to be the result of abuse or domestic violence? A law that takes away any physician or psychiatrist ability to inquire when there is a medical suspicion the patient may be in danger seems to be poorly thought out.

So far, it appears that one doctor asked a question, and it could be that he was right to ask....we don't know both sides of the story.
However, not a year goes by we don't hear about some dumbass leaving a loaded gun lying around, a kid gets ahold of it, some other kid gets shot....
People who can't be responsible with their guns shouldn't have them.

DiAnna said:

Wouldn't that also extend to, say, a patient with injuries that appear to be the result of abuse or domestic violence? A law that takes away any physician or psychiatrist ability to inquire when there is a medical suspicion the patient may be in danger seems to be poorly thought out.

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I just think any law banning people from ASKING QUESTIONS is kind of moronic. Looking into someone's private records is a somewhat different matter, but asking questions is just ****ing asking questions, what's the big deal?