Does your doctor have the right to ask if you are a gun owner?

[Will Carry]

TIME magazine never ceases to amaze me. I cannot understand how their readers can read this and think it is truth.

Time magazine is a very powerful lobby for people who would take away our freedoms guaranteed by the constitution and bill of rights. Our forefathers who wrote this brilliant document knew that one day this might happen. God bless them.

Children and Guns: Why Doctors Have a Right to Know - TIME

[Bassoneer]

I suppose they do have the right to ask, but we have the right to tell them we're not comfortable talking about it. Doctors are big into the rights of our privacy...maybe we should say that is private information we don't share with anyone...just like our Social Security Number, Bank Account Number, etc. B

[Garufa]

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/general-off-topic/62558-kids-guns-why-doctors-have-right-know.html

[Just2Honor]

They can ask anything but I don't have to answer. If they persisit or act like it's a big deal that I won't answer then I will immediately leave and find another doctor. Kids are not an issue for my household but my privacy is.

[zapfbroad]

i reserve the right to lie to my doctor

[Guest nicemac]

i reserve the right to lie to my doctor

Why would you lie to him (or her)?

Tell him honestly:

a) yes.

no

c) none of his business.

d) because of his question, you will be moving to another practice

But why lie?

[zapfbroad]

path of least resistance. some people just can't see past a fundamental difference. i'm too apathetic to devote an intensive amount of time persuading them to see a different perspective when they probably aren't receptive to begin with. "nope no guns, yup i've been sleeping normal..." moving right along. the doc is there to do what i need not to waste time with my non-needs. a med doctor inquiring about a lifestyle decision that is only medically related by adverse risk is wasting my time. do i speed while driving? do i bike without a helmet. don't patronize me doc. if i'm doing something i'm probably more aware of the potential negative health consequences than a pcp who may or may not have any first hand experience. all that being said.. i don't want to have to say it again with any doctor so "nope no guns doc".

[Guest nicemac]

path of least resistance. some people just can't see past a fundamental difference. i'm too apathetic to devote an intensive amount of time persuading them to see a different perspective when they probably aren't receptive to begin with. "nope no guns, yup i've been sleeping normal..." moving right along. the doc is there to do what i need not to waste time with my non-needs. a med doctor inquiring about a lifestyle decision that is only medically related by adverse risk is wasting my time. do i speed while driving? do i bike without a helmet. don't patronize me doc. if i'm doing something i'm probably more aware of the potential negative health consequences than a pcp who may or may not have any first hand experience. all that being said.. i don't want to have to say it again with any doctor so "nope no guns doc".

So…if you are not going to give him accurate information, why even bother going?

I will shoot straight with my doctor, and if I become dissatisfied with him (for any reason), I will change doctors. Lying is (almost) never the best course of action.

[JReedEsq]

So…if you are not going to give him accurate information, why even bother going?

I will shoot straight with my doctor, and if I become dissatisfied with him (for any reason), I will change doctors. Lying is (almost) never the best course of action.

I'd say telling him it's none of his business is shooting straight with him. For the life of me, I can't think of any reason why I would have any answer other than, "it's none of your business." Incidentally, I would have said that before I owned any guns.

[Guest nicemac]

I'd say telling him it's none of his business is shooting straight with him.

That was one of my "recommended" answers… see post #6.

I was questioning why someone would lie. "None of your business" is a perfectly honest and (my) preferred answer.

On the other hand, my next door neighbors (both physicians) are shooting buddies. My family doctor is a gun enthusiast and if he asked me about guns, it would be to see if I had anything new he might like…

Edited September 22, 2011 by nicemac

[mikegideon]

If my doctor believes that that kind of information is useful to do their job, then I will realize that my doctor is an incompetent idiot, and change doctors. So... it doesn't really matter how I respond.

[dunndw]

They have the right to ask..I have the right NOT to answer...or...anyswer is the most smart alek'ey way I ca nthink of at the time.

[mikegideon]

The have the right to ask, but will lose ALL of my respect when they do.

[JReedEsq]

That was one of my "recommended" answers… see post #6.

I was questioning why someone would lie. "None of your business" is a perfectly honest and (my) preferred answer.

On the other hand, my next door neighbors (both physicians) are shooting buddies. My family doctor is a gun enthusiast and if he asked me about guns, it would be to see if I had anything new he might like…

I had a similiar conversation with my dentist recently. The whole conversation started when I was running late because I had been at a divorce mediation. He laughed and said he felt sorry for me to have to fight all day and then asked, do they have metal detectors at those things? I said I wouldn't make it in if they did. He said that sounds pretty reasonable in my line of work. Then I listened to him tell me how old metal guns are superior to new plastic ones while he looked at my teeth. It was a nice conversation, but I'm not selling my plastic guns.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

A devils advocate rationale for lying-- The response to the question could be reasonably expected POSSIBLY to make it into your medical records. Eventually the records will be computerized and centralized and viewable by "the authorities" regardless of gov and corporate lip service to your privacy rights.

There could be situations now or in the future where parties which have access to your answer could use the answer against you. Big brother, insurance companies, mental health boards, vengeful wife in a nasty divorce, ungrateful children trying to gain power of attorney before you are willing to give it up, garden variety hackers looking for useful personal info...

Paranoia. Sure. It might be paranoia.

Edited September 22, 2011 by Lester Weevils

[mikegideon]

A devils advocate rationale for lying-- The response to the question could be reasonably expected POSSIBLY to make it into your medical records. Eventually the records will be computerized and centralized and viewable by "the authorities" regardless of gov and corporate lip service to your privacy rights.

There could be situations now or in the future where parties which have access to your answer could use the answer against you. Big brother, insurance companies, mental health boards, vengeful wife in a nasty divorce, ungrateful children trying to gain power of attorney before you are willing to give it up...

Paranoia. Sure. It might be paranoia.

HUGE privacy issues there. The gov already knows I have guns. The TBI had my SSN memorized by last year.

[sigmtnman]

Incessant lying is one of the our countries biggest issues. Radical truth is what we need.

[Guest nicemac]

A devils advocate rationale for lying-- The response to the question could be reasonably expected POSSIBLY to make it into your medical records. Eventually the records will be computerized and centralized and viewable by "the authorities" regardless of gov and corporate lip service to your privacy rights.

There could be situations now or in the future where parties which have access to your answer could use the answer against you. Big brother, insurance companies, mental health boards, vengeful wife in a nasty divorce, ungrateful children trying to gain power of attorney before you are willing to give it up, garden variety hackers looking for useful personal info...

Paranoia. Sure. It might be paranoia.

"None of your business" is a valid answer that can be placed in the file and not be a lie. As Mike states, the gubament already knows about my guns. They ran a background check for everyone of them.

[JReedEsq]

"None of your business" is a valid answer that can be placed in the file and not be a lie. As Mike states, the gubament already knows about my guns. They ran a background check for everyone of them.

Absolutely.

[Guest Tusculum]

I just had my second stroke of 2011. Thw first was a TIA(Mini Stroke) in March. The one last week was the real McCoy. You wouldnt believe some of the questionsthese medical professionals ask. I have been run through the mill in the last week. I guess they want to know if you are nuts. I do know one thing, It only takes a couple of these (none of your business)questions to really Piss me off to the pointof slapping themMaybe itaint a good idea to be a gunNut after your brain blew a pipe!Icant eventype cause mt left arm and hand wont work anymore but inserting a mag with my left hand doesnt seem to take much effort JMOPO

[Garufa]

Saying "None of your business" is just about the same as saying "Yes". Just sayin'.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Hmm. If my Doc asks the question, I will respond thus:

Doc, before we answer this question, I need to know a few things: 1) Do you have any official training by legal authorities, or from proper state recognized firearm safety courses? 2) May I see your certificate proving you have had the proper training? 3) Do you have malpractice insurance covering if I follow your "gun" advice and get hurt? 4) May I have a copy of the letter proving insurance coverage for "gun" safety advice?

If you cannot answer "yes" to these 4 questions, I must suggest to you, go get trained before you get someone hurt.

If he objects, I will say, hey, its in MY best interest to be safe. After all Doc, you know my employment background. (Risk Management)

[Guest Lester Weevils]

HUGE privacy issues there. The gov already knows I have guns. The TBI had my SSN memorized by last year.

Incessant lying is one of the our countries biggest issues. Radical truth is what we need.

"None of your business" is a valid answer that can be placed in the file and not be a lie. As Mike states, the gubament already knows about my guns. They ran a background check for everyone of them.

Saying "None of your business" is just about the same as saying "Yes". Just sayin'.

The lying option is just a devil's advocate argument. Dunno what I would say. All the above opinions have merit.

“The nail that sticks out gets hammered downâ€

It could be that any and all people potentially knowing whether you own guns could never cause any kind of grief, either today or in the uncertain future. In that case it would be pure foolish paranoia to consider any reply except truth or "none of your business".

On the other hand if such info could possibly cause future hassle, then a strategic lie may be analogous to camoflage? If you wish to go un-noticed in the woods and choose to wear camo-- Walking quietly and wearing camo could be equivalent to lying about your presence? A "painfully honest" person would eschew camo and cover-- Wear a bright orange jumpsuit and swagger thru the woods making as much noise possibe!

Though I do not pretend that this is a huge risk, there is potential low probability trouble from numerous non-gov agencies. For silly example if a weasel insurance company decided to be interested in your gun ownership before paying off a policy you had paid premiums over 40 prior years-- It is not likely that the gov is gonna give the insurance company info about guns you bought at a store. But if the info is in medical records-- You have to sign medical release forms rather frequently for numerous silly purposes. The insurance company could feasibly access the info in your medical records.

[Guest nicemac]

For silly example if a weasel insurance company decided to be interested in your gun ownership before paying off a policy you had paid premiums over 40 prior years-- It is not likely that the gov is gonna give the insurance company info about guns you bought at a store. But if the info is in medical records-- You have to sign medical release forms rather frequently for numerous silly purposes. The insurance company could feasibly access the info in your medical records.

My insurance company insures my guns with a rider policy-they have the serial numbers of the guns covered in case they were ever stolen. JUst like they have the VIN # of my car.

Saying "None of your business" is just about the same as saying "Yes". Just sayin'. [/Quote]

OK, "None of your business" might infer yes. At that point he is drawing his own conclusions. So what?

[sigmtnman]

At that point he is drawing his own conclusions. So what?

Truth.