Dr. asking about guns

[puma guy]

My doctor has never asked me about guns, but the last time I was there for a check-up the nurse handed me a two sided form she said was required to be filled out. It had questions that were depression related and some that were obviously about any physical impairments. I put the clip board and form behind the garbage can. I was not seeing my normal GP that day.

I didn't think about it until after I read the thread. My PCP's practice has become part of UTMB and my check-up was after that affiliation, so perhaps that's why they are doing a more invasive approach with that form. I'm going to wait and see if my regular PCP has the nurse hand me that form next check-up.

[ShootDontTalk]

After some thought, my wife reminded me that it would most likely be a pediatrician who would ask about guns in your home. Our regular physicians know both of us have guns around and on.

[ScottDLS]

When I was at the kids' pediatrician, whole family was getting a flu shot. I asked if they had anything for the zombie virus, which is apparently in all of us and activated upon death, or through a zombie bite. They still didn't ask about guns, though if they did I was going to tell them about the AR15 I'm building for the coming zombie apocalypse.

[Srnewby]

Been going to the same primary care physician for 25 years and the subject of guns has never come up.

[Weg]

my doctor, jokingly asked me if I pray towards Mecca daily while asking me a series of routine questions... I kid you not. I laughed my ars of as did he. I would post his name, but i'm sure it would cause him to be abused somehow. Anyway, I asked him about the gun question and he said it was not true that they are required to ask that question.

[PaJ]

The only time we've been asked was in regard to my son when he was hospitalized for some depression issues. In that case, we answered honestly and told them the steps we take to secure them. If any doc asks, and it's unrelated to my or my family's care, I will simply ask him how that's relevant to my health.

My wife is a nurse practitioner. She works for an on-site healthcare provider now and for Memorial Hermann before that. In neither case (for the employer with on-site care or at MH) were they required to ask about guns in the house.

One time, though, I was filling out the form to have an MRI. They asked if I was allergic to anything, and I answered "Yes. Bullets." When the nurse was reviewing it she looked rather astonished and asked if I'd been shot. I said, "no, but I'm pretty sure it's suck if I were shot." My wife was shaking her head. The nurse wasn't sure what to think of me.

[tms119]

Just doing n/a or saying no is the best. Though i believe it was in illinois a mom wrte an editorial after her and her husband were told to wait outside the room and the doctor asked their teenage son if any guns were in the house. But that was a rare occurence i believe.

[mojo84]

Here is another thread discussing this. Note that I incorrectly used the term "compelled" in my post there and should have said "strongly encouraged" to ask about them.

viewtopic.php?f=133&t=76616&p=967340&hi ... ns#p967340" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RPBrown]

I try to always be truthful so I either answer N/A or None Ya.

[remington79]

I have only answered the questions that are medical related such as past surgeries or other major injuries. Everything else I leave blank. I don't put N/A or anything else. Even if it was required I wouldn't answer it. On another note along these line if I had ever had depression I would leave that blank to. Just look at CA and NY they now require doctors to report that and in turn confiscate people's firearms. This has included people who haven't been depressed for years.

[Bitter Clinger]

I have only answered the questions that are medical related such as past surgeries or other major injuries. Everything else I leave blank. I don't put N/A or anything else. Even if it was required I wouldn't answer it. On another note along these line if I had ever had depression I would leave that blank to. Just look at CA and NY they now require doctors to report that and in turn confiscate people's firearms. This has included people who haven't been depressed for years.

My chronic depression was miraculously cured as soon as I left NYS.

[VMI77]

As far as I know it's not against the law to lie to a doctor. Not being honest about your medical history also isn't against any law, but might not be smart. I guess I should stop wearing my NRA hat and shirt to the doctors office. Mine hasn't asked by the way if someone is keeping track. Might make a good poll.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. With Obamacare, and before Obamacare as well I believe, some medical data is being provided to the Feds. They may very well attempt someday to claim that false data provided to the Feds is a crime.

[powerboatr]

my doctor, jokingly asked me if I pray towards Mecca daily while asking me a series of routine questions... I kid you not. I laughed my ars of as did he. I would post his name, but i'm sure it would cause him to be abused somehow. Anyway, I asked him about the gun question and he said it was not true that they are required to ask that question.

sounds like a great doctor....

but last week i had to go to the ER and i was asked if i was armed??? Duh there is a big ol 30.06 sign at the door, the check in lady just wizzed it off like asking if the sky was blue....then the out of country and other ebola scare questions

[fickman]

Our kids' pediatrician said the question was on a form he has to fill out. Thankfully, the conversation went like this:

"I'm supposed to ask this question about if you own guns, but we're in Texas, so let me just say, 'Please make sure your guns are locked up or secured so that kids cannot access them. OK, next question.'"

[winters]

If they ask just tell them no. If you get sarcastic they will know otherwise. Just to warn you now. Nurses tend to be VERY anti gun. I know my mother teaches them. lol