Doctors should have right to ask you about your guns

[zapfbroad]

I was bored in 2nd grade and put a pencil eraser in my ear, it broke off & got stuck in the canal. 6+ hrs in atlanta general ER till my mom got disgusted & took me to a private hosp & they had it out in 15 min. Said if it had gone a 1/4" further id probably suffer perm damage.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The "metallic object in the power socket" was practically a rite of passage before it became fashionable to child proof houses. A kiddie's first lesson in electricity.

[QuietDan]

The doctor can ask. I probably won't answer. Depending on the attitude demonstrated, I might pick another doctor.

Probably won't be a problem for me. My doctor is a former Army Flight Surgeon. And he hasn't asked.

I also haven't asked him if he's packing -- he probably is.

Edited July 9, 2012 by QuietDan

[Tim Nunan]

He can ask about guns. He can ask about fire insurance, for all I care. Unless he hangs a shingle from a gunsmithing school or shooting school on the wall of his office, I will treat it as I would any other nosy busybodys' question. Answer may range from silence to completely outrageous.

I carry this form to present to any doctor foolish enough to "counsel" on firearms:

FIREARMS SAFETY COUNSELING REPRESENTATION:

PHYSICIAN QUALIFICATIONS AND LIABILITY

Part One: Qualifications

I affirm that I am certified to offer (Name of Patient: ), herineafter referred to as "the Patient", qualified advice about firearms safety in the home, having received:

Specify Course(s) of Study:

_________________________________________________________________________

from:

Specify Institution(s)

_________________________________________________________________________

on:

Specify Course Completion Date(s):

_________________________________________________________________________

resulting in:

Specify Accreditation(s), Certification(s), License(s) etc.:

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Check one, as appropriate:

___

I represent that I have reviewed applicable scientific literature pertaining to defensive gun use and beneficial results of private

firearms ownership. I further represent that I have reviewed all other relevant home safety issues with the Patient, including those relating to electricity, drains, disposals, compactors, garage doors, driveway safety, pool safety, pool fence codes and special locks for pool gates, auto safety, gas, broken glass, stored cleaning chemicals, buckets, toilets, sharp objects, garden tools, home tools, power tools, lawnmowers, lawn chemicals, scissors, needles, forks, knives, etc. I also acknowledge, by receiving this document, I have been made aware that, in his inaugural address before the American Medical Association on June 20, 2001, new president Richard Corlin, MD, admitted "What we don't know about violence and guns is literally killing us...researchers do not have the data to tell how kids get guns, if trigger locks work, what the warning signs of violence in schools and at the workplace are and other critical questions due to lack of research funding." (UPI). In spite of this admission, I represent that I have sufficient data and expertise to provide expert and clinically sound advice to patients regarding firearms in the home.

OR

___

I am knowingly engaging in Home/Firearms Safety Counseling without certification, license or formal training in Risk

Management, and; I have not reviewed applicable scientific literature pertaining to defensive gun use and beneficial results of private firearms ownership.

Part Two: Liability

I have determined, from a review of my medical malpractice insurance, that if I engage in an activity for which I am not certified, such as Firearms Safety Counseling, the carrier (check one, as appropriate):

___ will

___ will not

cover lawsuits resulting from neglect, lack of qualification, etc.

Insurance Carrier name, address and policy number insuring me for firearms safety expertise:

_________________________________________________________________________

I further warrant that, should the Patient follow my firearm safety counseling and remove from the home and/or disable firearms with trigger locks or other mechanisms, and if the patient or a family member, friend or visitor is subsequently injured or killed as a result of said removal or disabling, that my malpractice insurance and/or personal assets will cover all actual and punitive damages resulting from a lawsuit initiated by the patient, the patient's legal reprerentative, or the patient's survivors.

Signature of attesting physician and date: __________________________________________________

Name of attesting physician (please print):__________________________________________________

Signature of patient and date: ____________________________________________________________

Name of patient (please print):____________________________________________________________

Patient:

Indicate if physician "REFUSED TO SIGN." Have physician place a copy in your chart/medical record.