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Florida Bill Would Prohibit Doctors From Asking Patients About Their Guns

I live in florida and Im pro guns...Im legal to carry concealed through federal law regarding retired police...but Im not getting the purpose of this law...why would I care if my doctor <who never has> asks me if I carry a gun ? I dont get it
 
This has to do with pediatricians and a program devised by the American Academy of Pediatrics that asked and then advised about various dangers to youngsters in the home.

The fear among gun right advocates was that this would be a backdoor registration, a formal recording of them as gun owners in their medical records. Second concern was about the medical record itself. That record is released by your doctor (with your permission) and reviewed for health care insurance and with the uncertainty of who will eventually be the masters of the database under the new health care law, it gives one pause about what's in your health record and who will be seeing it.

Who can say what the ramifications would be of gun ownership under some future health regulatory scheme . . . given the effort of the medical community (and government entities) to categorize guns as a public health hazard?

With the ingenuity of anti-gun activists (the cabal of the Brady Campaign, the AMA, AAP and leftists in government) these concerns do have some merit IMNSHO. Why have the public fight in the legislatures when you can get what you want with a health care Trojan Horse?
 
Doctors shouldn't pry into patients personal life unless it has medical relevance. Generally speaking, there is nor reason to ask about guns, although CC did bring up a valid exception. I still think it is a bad idea to make it illegal to ask a question. A better approach would be to pull the medical license of a doctor who turns away patients simply because they won't answer unneeded personal questions.
 
Was this proposed bill due to one single incident?

This just appears to be way overreaction and perhaps the politician just wants to prove he is more pro-gun that future opponents. Politics as usual.
 
What if the doctor wants to know how many pellets were in the shotgun shell as he's digging them out of the owner's rear end?

It's the First damn Amendment. agreed, it's almost always an irrelevant question, about the guns the patient has, but what if the doctor wants to add to his collection?
 
That may be the case, but less it's a medical emergency I think a private practicioner can choose to see or not see anyone he wants for whatever reason he wants.

What if the doctor refuses to perform the abortion because the rape victim bought a .357 after her assault?
 
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.

Do you also ask him about his knives, his neckties, his chain saw, his fifth floor condo, his proximity to the subway, his bath tubs and extention cords, his plastic bags, his brother's gun in his brother's house, his cars and the proliferation of freeway overpass columns, the gasoline in his car and his matches?

Are you doing your due diligence, or are you just asking about guns? Because when people suicide, they use the means available, and when there's no gun, they do something else. The possibilties are limited by man's imagination.
 
Do you also ask him about his knives, his neckties, his chain saw, his fifth floor condo, his proximity to the subway, his bath tubs and extention cords, his plastic bags, his brother's gun in his brother's house, his cars and the proliferation of freeway overpass columns, the gasoline in his car and his matches?

Are you doing your due diligence, or are you just asking about guns? Because when people suicide, they use the means available, and when there's no gun, they do something else. The possibilties are limited by man's imagination.

I ask about anything that I think is reasonable to assume that the individual would use to harm themselves. Guns, knives, and poisons/medications are at the top of my list, but depending on the patient, I would ask other questions. Whether they intend to drive is one, since I've had several that have threatened to drive their car into a tree.

In the situation that I am discussing there is a legitimate reason to ask about access to firearms. Since this is a danger to the individual... or perhaps another, this law would not apply to me and I could ask about one's gun ownership to my heart's content. If I suspect suicidality and the person refuses to answer, I can have them hospitalized as a danger to themselves.
 
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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.

Double Like. Yes, the liberal/conservative some-time reversal on this issue is interesting. I'm thinking that conservatives "for it" are concerned that information is being collected. Your point about Alzheimer's Disease (or other cognitive disorders) is an excellent one. Stupud law on so many levels.
 
This has to do with pediatricians and a program devised by the American Academy of Pediatrics that asked and then advised about various dangers to youngsters in the home.

The fear among gun right advocates was that this would be a backdoor registration, a formal recording of them as gun owners in their medical records. Second concern was about the medical record itself. That record is released by your doctor (with your permission) and reviewed for health care insurance and with the uncertainty of who will eventually be the masters of the database under the new health care law, it gives one pause about what's in your health record and who will be seeing it.

Who can say what the ramifications would be of gun ownership under some future health regulatory scheme . . . given the effort of the medical community (and government entities) to categorize guns as a public health hazard?

With the ingenuity of anti-gun activists (the cabal of the Brady Campaign, the AMA, AAP and leftists in government) these concerns do have some merit IMNSHO. Why have the public fight in the legislatures when you can get what you want with a health care Trojan Horse?

You been asked about firearms reguarly by physicians through your life that you feel we need another law?
 
Here is a brief description of the bill:

Privacy of Firearm Owners: Provides that licensed practitioner or facility may not record firearm ownership information in patient's medical record; provides exception; provides that unless information is relevant to patient's medical care or safety or safety of others, inquiries regarding firearm ownership or possession should not be made; provides exception for EMTS & paramedics; provides that patient may decline to provide information regarding ownership or possession of firearms; clarifies that physician's authority to choose patients is not altered; prohibits discrimination by licensed practitioners or facilities based solely on patient's firearm ownership or possession; prohibits harassment of patient regarding firearm ownership during examination; prohibits denial of insurance coverage, increased premiums, or other discrimination by insurance companies issuing policies on basis of insured's or applicant's ownership, possession, or storage of firearms or ammunition; clarifies that insurer is not prohibited from considering value of firearms or ammunition in setting personal property premiums; provides for disciplinary action.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=44993

I am going to address specific points:

provides that unless information is relevant to patient's medical care or safety or safety of others, inquiries regarding firearm ownership or possession should not be made

In bold. If I practiced in Florida, there is my exception. If I deem my patient or another person's safety is in jeopardy, I can ask without concern for legal ramifications. The Florida legislature or the NRA has no say in whether or not I inquire under those circumstances.

provides exception for EMTS & paramedics

Good. Could be important.

prohibits discrimination by licensed practitioners or facilities based solely on patient's firearm ownership or possession

This completely contradicts this:

clarifies that physician's authority to choose patients is not altered

I have a big problem with the first statement. It DOES take away the right of a practitioner to choose who they will treat.

Other than this one issue, I generally have no issue with the law. I think it's paranoid and pretty ridiculous/stupid, but if it gets passed, I don't see that it would create major problems.
 
Honestly, I see no reason as to why a medical provider shouldn't be able to ask that question, if it's on topic to the medical visit at end. To my knowledge, there's absolutely nothing they can do to me for not telling the truth.

I see two ways that a patient could go with this:

1. The flat-out denial:

Dr: Do you have any firearms or ammunition present in your home?

Pt: Nope, can we get back to addressing the gunshot wound in my thigh please.


Personally, I'd like to get creative just to see the Dr's reaction.

Dr: Do you have any firearms or ammunition present in your home?

Me: Does the 50 cal. on the roof of my functional M1A1 Abrams count? ...or are you just concerned about the 120mm main cannon?
 
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This has to do with pediatricians and a program devised by the American Academy of Pediatrics that asked and then advised about various dangers to youngsters in the home.

The fear among gun right advocates was that this would be a backdoor registration, a formal recording of them as gun owners in their medical records. Second concern was about the medical record itself. That record is released by your doctor (with your permission) and reviewed for health care insurance and with the uncertainty of who will eventually be the masters of the database under the new health care law, it gives one pause about what's in your health record and who will be seeing it.

Who can say what the ramifications would be of gun ownership under some future health regulatory scheme . . . given the effort of the medical community (and government entities) to categorize guns as a public health hazard?

With the ingenuity of anti-gun activists (the cabal of the Brady Campaign, the AMA, AAP and leftists in government) these concerns do have some merit IMNSHO. Why have the public fight in the legislatures when you can get what you want with a health care Trojan Horse?

ahh...ok that puts it in a much different light...thank you for that explanation
 
There's been an issue with the, um, APA I think it was? Maybe it was the CDC...anyway... Telling doctors to ask their patients about their guns and other nosy questions as if it were health related.

The AMA is behind this thing. They push doctors to inquire as part of your physical. It's irrelevant and none of their business.
 
Honestly, I see no reason as to why a medical provider shouldn't be able to ask that question, if it's on topic to the medical visit at end. To my knowledge, there's absolutely nothing they can do to me for not telling the truth.

I see two ways that a patient could go with this:

1. The flat-out denial:

Dr: Do you have any firearms or ammunition present in your home?

Pt: Nope, can we get back to addressing the gunshot wound in my thigh please.


Personally, I'd like to get creative just to see the Dr's reaction.

Dr: Do you have any firearms or ammunition present in your home?

Me: Does the 50 cal. on the roof of functional my M1A1 Abrams count? ...or are you just concerned about the 120mm main cannon?

How about, "Doctor, did you know my grandmother was raped by a burglar and my grandfather didn't have the means to stop it?"
 
Since I live in Florida and this will effect me I think the bill is much too limited in scope. We need to forbid him asking whether or not I have heroin, uranium, cyanide, knives, sledgehammers, blow up dolls, and power saws in my home too. I am sure there are more many more that should be on that list though, so just to be safe we need to ban the doctors from asking anything.

Or we can just not make stupid laws that waste everyone's time, there should be no laws to prohibit the doctors to ask, just as their are no laws to force anyone to answer.
 
I'm not the most pro-2nd Amendment member on this board.

However. Why the **** does a doctor need to know about your guns and ammo?

That's so the Libbo Dems can use Obamacare to take away our gun rights.
 
I am concerned about supposed Libertarians in here thinking that it is perfectly acceptable for a doctor to ask you a question like this that has NOTHING to do with your physical.

Why should we stop at gun ownership, why not just proceed to asking you who you voted for in the last election, then proceed to refuse to see you based on your political leaning.


j-mac
 
I am concerned about supposed Libertarians in here thinking that it is perfectly acceptable for a doctor to ask you a question like this that has NOTHING to do with your physical.

Why should we stop at gun ownership, why not just proceed to asking you who you voted for in the last election, then proceed to refuse to see you based on your political leaning.


j-mac

you mean like this?

23038744_351X360.jpg
 
From what I understand this is the issue.

The bill is aimed primarily at pediatricians. The AMA encourages them to ask children during physicals about various safety issues, such as their activities with bikes or around a pool. They do this apparently as an effort to reduce accidents and promote safety. The issue however is that when it comes to guns, generally rather than talking about safetly handling or storing the gun they take the tact guns are bad, guns are dangerous, and the kid should avoid using or being around them. This is a significantly different tact than with other "safety" related questioning, as they're not generally suggesting to kids that pools are bad or bikes are bad and they should be avoiding those things because accidents can happen there.

I'm somewhat conflicted here. On one side, this is a private business and I don't think that the government should be telling them what they can't or can do. On the flip side, I don't think this is a physicians place to doing and if this is pushed by the AMA it severly lowers the chance of finding a doctor not doing it since they have a pseudo-monopoly. Still, I'm sure you could find a doctor that, if asking about Guns, does so in a more safety related way then "guns are bad" sort of way...it'd just likely be difficult.

Its one of those issues where...I absolutely agree, a Doctor has no business giving that sort of advise to a child since he's essentially an authority figure, but I'm not sure if its really the governments role to tell him "no, you can't do that".
 
Double Like. Yes, the liberal/conservative some-time reversal on this issue is interesting. I'm thinking that conservatives "for it" are concerned that information is being collected. Your point about Alzheimer's Disease (or other cognitive disorders) is an excellent one. Stupud law on so many levels.

Yeah, libs are generally in favor of business regulation. However I find this one to be particularly paranoid and idiotic.
 
I am concerned about supposed Libertarians in here thinking that it is perfectly acceptable for a doctor to ask you a question like this that has NOTHING to do with your physical.

Why should we stop at gun ownership, why not just proceed to asking you who you voted for in the last election, then proceed to refuse to see you based on your political leaning.


j-mac

Next they'll ask if you have a printing press or Bible in your home to cover concerns about the 1st Amendment.
 
"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.

Asking a patient if they have a fire arm is a unrelated question.
 
And some people think Obamacare is stupid.

It 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?

I am pro-2nd amendment.So I am against any waiting period.



Yes, both are stupid. A law that says you can't ask a certain question is okay? Are u frickin serious?

The law doesn't have to specify exactly what questions can and can not be asked. The law can simply state that you may not ask unrelated questions as a precondition for goods and or service or that you may not deny service on a customer/patients refusal to answer. A suicidal nutcase seeing a shrink/quack it would be relevant for that shrink/quack to ask their patient if they have guns,knives,poisons, and possibly anything else that nutcase can try to off himself with.

If the doctor doesn't need to know then he has no business asking.

But yet doctors are 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?

If doctors have no business asking, then they usually won't ask. If you are offended by the question, find another doctor.

Doctor may refuse service, and the patient may be forced to see another doctor assuming that some medical organization or the government is not making all doctors ask all their patients these questions.Plus I do not like the idea of a back door firearm registry.



Doctors, as a profession, aren't out to get gun owners.
But their bosses,regulators, associations or who ever may be out to get gun owners.


What problem is it that you have with drug tests and credit checks anyway?

I have no problem with those things as long as they are actually relevant to the job.
 
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