doctors asking children about parents and firearms

[Shawnmoore81 623]

The back door registry is already in the works. Atleast in nj it is. It's all tied into the dl and outlawing private sales

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

the problem with this is it can/will turn into a form of backdoor registry. remember, all govt agencies will have access to your medical records......eventually.....

I don't agree, but then again, if it's something someone is worried about, I would then ask "when does it stop."

 

Participation on a gun forum could eventually lead to a back door registration.  A person certainly enjoys much more protection of privacy with doctor patient discussions and medical records than they do with Internet postings.

 

It's really very simple.  A person is certainly free to not respond to the question.

 

It's just a question, and as I understand (and was noted above) part of a checklist.

 

There is no legal or other obligation to respond to the Doctors questions.  In fact, if someone is going to a pediatrician who asks these questions, and that person objects, they are free to find another doctor...one who asks questions more in keeping with his or her beliefs on what is proper medical care for their children. 

[RUTGERS95 890]

Would you object if they asked about contact sports, and then offered advice on concussions or proper hydration?

 

How about seat belts, or car seats?

 

I don't know where the line is draw from what is proper medical advice, which I include as injury prevention, and intrusion into what one consider raising or safeguarding our children.

 

Like I said, my pediatrician doesn't ask, so it's not an issue for me.

entirely different in my view. 

 

playing contact sports and making sure the kids knows to stays hydrated and asking my children if there are guns in the house are worlds apart. 

[RUTGERS95 890]

I believe theres a another thread with some useful links but heres the one I posted in it before

 

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013/05/20/if-your-doctor-asks-you-about-guns-do-you-have-answer

when will people realize that Exec Orders pertain ONLY to Federal employees?  Not you but the link and people in general mind you.....

[raz-0 1,260]

 

Do pediatricians ask about swimming pools? They're several times more hazardous to children.

Mine had swimming pools on the questionnaire. He asked about how hot we have our water heater set and warned us that scald guards are not sufficient repeatedly. He actively could care less about firearms in the home.

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

entirely different in my view. 

 

playing contact sports and making sure the kids knows to stays hydrated and asking my children if there are guns in the house are worlds apart. 

Let me ask you this.  Actually, lets assume that my son, who is 16, is your kid.  He shoots USPSA and Speed on Steel.  As you know, these events are done in the open under the hot sun (sun exposure and hydration issues) and subject to loud noises (ear protection) and flying objects (eye protection).  So, you are at the Ped's office for the annual well visit and the Dr. notices his (and your) farmer tans..."I see you guys get some sun...remember to use sunscreen, ok."  What do you do that you are out in the sun?

 

Do you let him respond?  Do you respond?  To do so will introduce the gun topic?

 

I'll pose a better one.  My 16 y/o son and your 16 y/o son are going to get together to play some video games at your house, but before I agree, I ask (we do this) whether or not there are dogs in the house, and I ask if there are guns in the house. 

 

Do you disclose your firearm ownership, or respond that it is none of my business?

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

Mine had swimming pools on the questionnaire. He asked about how hot we have our water heater set and warned us that scald guards are not sufficient repeatedly. He actively could care less about firearms in the home.

You have kids?

[RUTGERS95 890]

Let me ask you this.  Actually, lets assume that my son, who is 16, is your kid.  He shoots USPSA and Speed on Steel.  As you know, these events are done in the open under the hot sun (sun exposure and hydration issues) and subject to loud noises (ear protection) and flying objects (eye protection).  So, you are at the Ped's office for the annual well visit and the Dr. notices his (and your) farmer tans..."I see you guys get some sun...remember to use sunscreen, ok."  What do you do that you are out in the sun?

 

Do you let him respond?  Do you respond?  To do so will introduce the gun topic?

 

I'll pose a better one.  My 16 y/o son and your 16 y/o son are going to get together to play some video games at your house, but before I agree, I ask (we do this) whether or not there are dogs in the house, and I ask if there are guns in the house. 

 

Do you disclose your firearm ownership, or respond that it is none of my business?

seeing sun on the face and reminding to use sunscreen and openly asking if there are firearms in a house on wellness or such visit are still worlds apart

 

asking a neighbor if they have dogs or guns in a house your child will be going into to play with a friend I can see and have no issue with it.  I think that is good parenting actually. 

[JrzyGuy30 0]

Let me ask you this.  Actually, lets assume that my son, who is 16, is your kid.  He shoots USPSA and Speed on Steel.  As you know, these events are done in the open under the hot sun (sun exposure and hydration issues) and subject to loud noises (ear protection) and flying objects (eye protection).  So, you are at the Ped's office for the annual well visit and the Dr. notices his (and your) farmer tans..."I see you guys get some sun...remember to use sunscreen, ok."  What do you do that you are out in the sun?

 

Do you let him respond?  Do you respond?  To do so will introduce the gun topic?

 

I'll pose a better one.  My 16 y/o son and your 16 y/o son are going to get together to play some video games at your house, but before I agree, I ask (we do this) whether or not there are dogs in the house, and I ask if there are guns in the house. 

 

Do you disclose your firearm ownership, or respond that it is none of my business?

IF your child is spending time with my child at my house, you can ask and I will gladly tell you there are firearms but they are secured in a safe that's bolted down and I only know the combination. I'd expect the same vice versa.

 

But when doctors and other people who have no direct relation to my family except for a paid service start asking and documenting regarding my doings/belongings etc, I feel that is ebbing on invasion of privacy. No one has to know I own firearms (well except NJ and who knows where that information goes). 

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

But when doctors and other people who have no direct relation to my family except for a paid service start asking and documenting regarding my doings/belongings etc, I feel that is ebbing on invasion of privacy. No one has to know I own firearms (well except NJ and who knows where that information goes). 

How about your lawyer, or accountant?

 

How about your insurance adviser?

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

seeing sun on the face and reminding to use sunscreen and openly asking if there are firearms in a house on wellness or such visit are still worlds apart

 

 

You didn't answer the question.

 

Given your stance I take it, if asked directly about guns in the house, you would reply "none of your business," or somethign to that affect.

 

What about the back door situation that I posed.  Do you respond to the doctor?

 

It actually happened to me, only not with guns.  My personal physician noticed the racoon eyes and tan line/band on the side of my head from my sunglasses, and inquired where I was getting so much sun.  He asked about the reason rather than just noticing what was obviously sun bun/tanning and recommending sun screen.  I was a boater at the time and naturally didn't take any offense to the question. 

 

So the question remains...would you get offended if when you tell the doctor that you and your son shoot guns, outdoors, in the heat, and he recommends good hearing protection, and sun screen?

[raz-0 1,260]

You have kids?

 

Well a kid anyway. 

 

I don't get people's attitudes on this. It's a yes, no question. Unless you have taken very severe precautions to do only FTF transactions that require no documentation, the yes no question can be answered very easily by going through private sector databases and data mining. Run the probabilities right, and you can get a pretty good guesstimate. The doctor's office is no more or less. I simply don't want a doctor that is an irrational moron about it. what I REALLY, REALLY don't get is the people who react all paranoid (or at least say they would) and then insist the answer is to get all confrontational. It answers the question. You are much better off simply going huh, what? hey you catch tuesday's episode of real housewives of why hasn't someone killed all of you yet for the good off humanity? (or whatever assembled cavalcade of wastes of oxygen people are pretending are important this year). 

[wink-_-wink 1]

BLF-  I think I might kinda wanna see your basement.... just sayin  I imagine it to be like disney land for adults

[BlueLineFish 615]

Not yet. When i finally get it laid out like i want it then it will be nice.

[Dirt diver 0]

I was asked and said no. You're not under oath.

[1LtCAP 4,267]

Let me ask you this.  Actually, lets assume that my son, who is 16, is your kid.  He shoots USPSA and Speed on Steel.  As you know, these events are done in the open under the hot sun (sun exposure and hydration issues) and subject to loud noises (ear protection) and flying objects (eye protection).  So, you are at the Ped's office for the annual well visit and the Dr. notices his (and your) farmer tans..."I see you guys get some sun...remember to use sunscreen, ok."  What do you do that you are out in the sun?

 

Do you let him respond?  Do you respond?  To do so will introduce the gun topic?

 

I'll pose a better one.  My 16 y/o son and your 16 y/o son are going to get together to play some video games at your house, but before I agree, I ask (we do this) whether or not there are dogs in the house, and I ask if there are guns in the house. 

 

Do you disclose your firearm ownership, or respond that it is none of my business?

it doesn't matter what is done that has us out in the sun.

[JrzyGuy30 0]

How about your lawyer, or accountant?

 

How about your insurance adviser?

Never needed a lawyer.

 

Accountant is voluntary - he helps me save money

 

Insurance adviser? Its all online and they just get what they need and insure me. They don't ask me how fast I drive - or where I work of what I do for a living - or if I like steak or am vegan.

 

sorry - for a doctor, it's none of there business and I don't see how that question will affect my child from a cold or healing from a sickness.

[SgtToadette 59]

It's a fair question that a lot of people here seem to be taking very personally.

 

A pediatrician's job is to diagnose potential problems to a child's well-being. The question isn't being logged into some kind of government database so they can confiscate your guns. It's a standard question just like asking about a pool, or chemicals, or stairs, or anything else that can be potentially abused by a young child.

 

I'm sure almost everyone here is responsible with their use of firearms and stores them in a secure manner. Not everyone is that way and I would consider it a good practice to promote firearm safety.

 

I think it's a sad state of affairs when many are embarrassed or scared to be asked about whether they own a firearm in a private conversation. You don't have to answer, nor are you obligated to answer truthfully. It's for the doctor's use in trying to make sure that your child is living in a safe atmosphere. Nothing more.

 

Now, if the pediatrician starts lecturing you about how it's wrong to own a firearm or something similar, then that's definitely crossing the professional line and you're free to be as rude as your heart desires.

[1LtCAP 4,267]

It's a fair question that a lot of people here seem to be taking very personally.

 

A pediatrician's job is to diagnose potential problems to a child's well-being. The question isn't being logged into some kind of government database so they can confiscate your guns. It's a standard question just like asking about a pool, or chemicals, or stairs, or anything else that can be potentially abused by a young child.

 

I'm sure almost everyone here is responsible with their use of firearms and stores them in a secure manner. Not everyone is that way and I would consider it a good practice to promote firearm safety.

 

I think it's a sad state of affairs when many are embarrassed or scared to be asked about whether they own a firearm in a private conversation. You don't have to answer, nor are you obligated to answer truthfully. It's for the doctor's use in trying to make sure that your child is living in a safe atmosphere. Nothing more.

 

Now, if the pediatrician starts lecturing you about how it's wrong to own a firearm or something similar, then that's definitely crossing the professional line and you're free to be as rude as your heart desires.

it's not so much that it's the dr. asking....although i don't believe they should be.....but my beliefs beside the point.......as you guys know dr's records are computerized. if they're not now, they will be soon. and those records will become visible to any agency which wishes to see them.

 

 so now, if one of those agencies decides(for whatever reason) that you require a little more attention.........they'll see that little johnny told the pediatrician that his dad has 27(for instance) rifles, and5(for instance) pistols, and piles and piles of ammunition. now what do you think that agency is going to do? put your tinfoil hat on.

[RUTGERS95 890]

You didn't answer the question.

 

Given your stance I take it, if asked directly about guns in the house, you would reply "none of your business," or somethign to that affect.

 

What about the back door situation that I posed.  Do you respond to the doctor?

 

It actually happened to me, only not with guns.  My personal physician noticed the racoon eyes and tan line/band on the side of my head from my sunglasses, and inquired where I was getting so much sun.  He asked about the reason rather than just noticing what was obviously sun bun/tanning and recommending sun screen.  I was a boater at the time and naturally didn't take any offense to the question. 

 

So the question remains...would you get offended if when you tell the doctor that you and your son shoot guns, outdoors, in the heat, and he recommends good hearing protection, and sun screen?

I answered your question, you are just being argumentative for the sake of playing devil's advocate.  Kid is outside, got too much sun so how does that lead to, 'do you have guns in your household?'

 

If you can't see the difference between a neighbor of a kid who may come and play in someone's house vs a doctor then I don't know what to say to you. 

[RUTGERS95 890]

I'm not taking it personally anymore than if I asked the doctor if he has child porn or how he likes his sex with his wife or boyfriend (gotta be inclusive..lol)

 

I'm responsible for the welfare of my children, not the state, the gov't, and certainly not the doctor who may or may not know the first damn thing about firearms other than the AMA or MSNBC has told him.  It has no bearing on a checkup, fever, sniffle, etc....

 

 

It simply has no bearing on a doctor's visit and is personal information. 

[SgtToadette 59]

I'm not taking it personally anymore than if I asked the doctor if he has child porn or how he likes his sex with his wife or boyfriend (gotta be inclusive..lol)

 

I'm responsible for the welfare of my children, not the state, the gov't, and certainly not the doctor who may or may not know the first damn thing about firearms other than the AMA or MSNBC has told him.  It has no bearing on a checkup, fever, sniffle, etc....

 

 

It simply has no bearing on a doctor's visit and is personal information. 

 

The entire reason why you bring your child to the pediatrician is for their well-being, so I don't get your point. Their job is to care and I can't help that find it strange that it is assumed that the mere asking about firearms automatically makes the doctor anti-gun. I also find it strange that you're comparing child pornography to gun ownership.

 

The question is just about as personal as the doctor touching your junk. I'm sure they care far less than you do.

[RUTGERS95 890]

The entire reason why you bring your child to the pediatrician is for their well-being, so I don't get your point. Their job is to care and I can't help that find it strange that it is assumed that the mere asking about firearms automatically makes the doctor anti-gun. I also find it strange that you're comparing child pornography to gun ownership.

 

The question is just about as personal as the doctor touching your junk. I'm sure they care far less than you do.

define well being in this context.  There are, as I'm sure you are aware, varying levels of well-being.

 

Personal questions like that have no place just like if he asked me if I had anal sex with my wife.  Unless there is a specific reason to address certain areas, it simply does not need to be on a questionnaire or asked.

 

It's nothing more than more intrusion in my household.  What is next, they gonna ask if they are eating candy at home in support of the state imitative stopping parents from giving their kids candy in the lunchboxes?  I mean think about it, sugar is far more dangerous as a whole and diabetes and sugar related conditions are on the rise.  How long before the eating habbits are scrutinized in the same way?

 

I'm absolutely sensitive to the fact that they may, MAY, be asking out of genuine concern but far more doctors will do so due to insurance/state/fed insistence.

[RUTGERS95 890]

last time I checked, guns don't cause kids to get sick, contribute to poor eating habits, or a myriad of other illnesses that you do to doctors for.  Hell, less than 1500 kids a year are hurt by guns in the household and 3x as many are hurt by falling down stairs on their way to dinner, school, living, bedtime, etc..  The issue of guns in the home is statistically insignificant so why are we to be asked about them?

 

regardless, I'll agree to disagree with some of you. 

[SgtToadette 59]

define well being in this context.  There are, as I'm sure you are aware, varying levels of well-being.

 

Personal questions like that have no place just like if he asked me if I had anal sex with my wife.  Unless there is a specific reason to address certain areas, it simply does not need to be on a questionnaire or asked.

 

It's nothing more than more intrusion in my household.  What is next, they gonna ask if they are eating candy at home in support of the state imitative stopping parents from giving their kids candy in the lunchboxes?  I mean think about it, sugar is far more dangerous as a whole and diabetes and sugar related conditions are on the rise.  How long before the eating habbits are scrutinized in the same way?

 

I'm absolutely sensitive to the fact that they may, MAY, be asking out of genuine concern but far more doctors will do so due to insurance/state/fed insistence.

 

If your sex life is just as sensitive as your gun ownership then I can't help but have a differing opinion.

[matt1751 2]

I've never been asked directly by the Dr. or nurse but at my kids last well check up I was given a questionnaire about family history and such and it did ask if there where firearms in the house. I just left it blank and never heard a word about it. Funny story though a few years ago same thing at a well check up the nurse asked if he's even been exposed to anything with lead in it. My boy was 7 at the time looks at me and whispers in my ear what about the bullets when we go shooting. The nurse overheard and we both said that's fine to him.

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

I'm sure almost everyone here is responsible with their use of firearms and stores them in a secure manner. Not everyone is that way and I would consider it a good practice to promote firearm safety.

 

It would have been a good question for the Pediatrician to have asked that guy in Tom's River who's kid shot his neighbor with the loaded 22 rifle from under his bed.  I don't think you can ever have enough discussion on firearm safety.  I don't understand why people so bristle when the doctor asks about guns.  I mean, I know gun rights are under seige.  I was out their in the sleet and freezing rain at the rally.  I too spoke at the hearings and in front of the NJ Task Force.  I get it.

 

I think we do ourselves more harm that good by being beligerent, even in a thread like this, when if we embraced educating others, we would further our cause.  My Dentist mentioned it the other day...he asked what we are doing over the summer...he knew about the baseball with my one son, but when I mentioned shooting his eyes lite up.  He can't wait to join us.

 

I tell everyone that I shoot.  Everyone. 

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

I answered your question,

No, actually, you didn't answer the question I asked.  You answered a question you created.

 

I find this an interesting conversation however out of respect for your wishes won't persist.

[SgtToadette 59]

It would have been a good question for the Pediatrician to have asked that guy in Tom's River who's kid shot his neighbor with the loaded 22 rifle from under his bed.  I don't think you can ever have enough discussion on firearm safety.  I don't understand why people so bristle when the doctor asks about guns.  I mean, I know gun rights are under seige.  I was out their in the sleet and freezing rain at the rally.  I too spoke at the hearings and in front of the NJ Task Force.  I get it.

 

I think we do ourselves more harm that good by being beligerent, even in a thread like this, when if we embraced educating others, we would further our cause.  My Dentist mentioned it the other day...he asked what we are doing over the summer...he knew about the baseball with my one son, but when I mentioned shooting his eyes lite up.  He can't wait to join us.

 

I tell everyone that I shoot.  Everyone. 

 

Precisely. I think we do ourselves a disservice by feeling the need to relegate our passion to a more private area of our lives. I'm not going out and telling every passerby that I own guns, but if someone asks a question about what I do on weekends I give them an honest answer.

 

It reminds me of a quote from one of the most prolific articles on the subject of gun rights:

 

"I’ve often wondered about this over the years. Is it because my side of the debate is actually loony? I don’t think so; at least, I think I’m pretty normal. Sure, we’ve got some oddballs we all wish would go away, just like any group does.

 

But all the pro-gun people I know are normal people too — people so normal that nobody knows they’re gun people until they’re told. In fact, there are so many gun owners that if we are all crazy like some suggest, the daily crime rate in America would look more like our crime rate for the entire decade combined, and CNN would actually have something to report on other than the latest gossip."

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

Insurance adviser? Its all online and they just get what they need and insure me.

Did you tell your insurance people that you own guns, so that they could properly insure them for you?