Most Americans have strong feelings about gun control, whether in favor of more or less. Legislation has even been passed restricting physicians from discussing guns with patients. What is your opinion about healthcare professionals discussing safekeeping of guns in the home?
Gun ownership and regulation is a very emotional issue in the U.S. and there has been strong reaction to whether physicians and other healthcare providers should be involved in doing more to curb gun related injuries and deaths. I would like to hear some of your opinions regarding physician involvement, but first let's look at some of the gun statistics in the U.S.
More than 108,000 people are shot per year in murders, assaults, suicides, suicide attempts, unintentional shootings or by police intervention.
* More than 32,000 of them die.
* The U.S. has the most gun homicides of any developed nation. 29.7 per 100,000.
* Everyday 297 people are shot.
* 89 people die.
* 31 of them are murdered.
* 55 are suicides.
* 2 are killed unintentionally.
* 1 is killed by police.
* 1 is unknown intent.
* One in five deaths are people ages 15-29.
Over 17,000 American children and teens are injured or killed each year due to gun violence.
* 2,677 of those children die.
* Nearly 48 youth are shot per day including 7 fatalities.
* 5 are murdered and 2 are suicides.
1 in 3 homes with children have guns.
* 42% of parents with guns keep at least one unlocked.
* 25% of parents with guns keep at least loaded.
* 3 in 4 children know where firearms are kept in the home.
(Statistics; bradycampaign.org).
It has been suggested that clinicians could play a major role in reducing children's access to guns by asking if there is a gun in the home, and if so, counseling on firearm storage practices. One study showed that patients who received counseling on firearm storage were more likely to make a change in storage practice than patients who did not receive counseling. (64% vs 33%). (J Am Board Fam.Pract).
Pediatrician's offices and hospitals routinely give out infant and car seats, would it also be appropriate to distribute trigger locks and lockboxes? Firearm related injuries are a public health issue, so should there be public health initiatives regarding firearms such as there have been for reducing tobacco, toy and motor vehicle related deaths?
Well , if you wish to call it a militia, The USA citizen one that believes in the constitution of USA..... But really the melitia I really belong to is the RN cattle rancher, protecting my livestock from predators ....which costs me $1000's each year in loss of 100% grass fed beef......
I have some land around the border by Lardeo, We keep a hunting cabin down there. We basically had to keep it unlocked because of the illegal aliens that kept breaking in looking for food water or stuff to steal. They leave huge piles of trash. Most everyone in this area keeps armed due to the Illegal aliens down there destroying property and thieving.
Well , if you wish to call it a militia, The USA citizen one that believes in the constitution of USA..... But really the melitia I really belong to is the RN cattle rancher, protecting my livestock from predators ....which costs me $1000's each year in loss of 100% grass fed beef......
The militia the amendment refers to was citizens who would be available to defend the fledgling country should it be attacked by a foreign power. This was at a time when we didn't have a standing army.
I am not anti-gun. I do however object to the lack of controls which prevent weapons from getting to criminals. We all agree that criminals will not buy guns legally, but those weapons come from somewhere. They can't all be from burglaries where weapons were unsecured in the home, correct?
My son's pedi asks about gun ownership at each well child visit. I have no problem with it. Many incidences of small children shooting themselves here in MI due to improperly secured guns. Very sad.
The militia the amendment refers to was citizens who would be available to defend the fledgling country should it be attacked by a foreign power. This was at a time when we didn't have a standing army.
I am not anti-gun. I do however object to the lack of controls which prevent weapons from getting to criminals. We all agree that criminals will not buy guns legally, but those weapons come from somewhere. They can't all be from burglaries where weapons were unsecured in the home, correct?
Mexican Drug Cartels brings in a lot of weapons now of days. You can go to a drug house and they will have large amount of cocaine and a some weed and weapons for sale...
I am not anti-gun. I do however object to the lack of controls which prevent weapons from getting to criminals. We all agree that criminals will not buy guns legally, but those weapons come from somewhere. They can't all be from burglaries where weapons were unsecured in the home, correct?
Obama authorized Operation Fast and Furious , it put guns on the streets in USA and Mexico.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
OK, 2nd amendment. Which regulated militia do you belong to?
Isn't this amendment the foundation for a state guard, with homeowners having their own weapons?
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The Federalist Papers which clearly outline the thoughts ad intentions of the original framer of the constitution define a militia as volunteer citizens army - ready to take up arms if necessary to protect the populace from previous abuse of Government. Such as claiming of their private lands and quartering soldiers in private homes.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
You don't tell HF patients, "don't eat salt its bad.
Actually when my physician tried to tell me about salt I countered with the statement that there is no scientific peer reviewed information that salt is bad for people who have normally functioning hearts. It is in fact an essential nutrient involved in several chemical processes in the human body. At our next appointment she admitted that she could not find anything more than anecdotal evidence on the deleterious effects of salt. so if you like it and your ticker is in good shape eat it.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I'm pro gun ownership, but *I* simply couldn't find a way to do it that left me feeling well about also having a young Preteen.
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I agree - While my own son has been taught by a certified range master - I still have locked up all long guns in a gun safe and our bedside personal defense arm in a lock box in the bedside lock box. It's not my kid I'm worried about but some of the goofy numbskulls he hangs with.
PinayUSA
505 Posts
I have some land around the border by Lardeo, We keep a hunting cabin down there. We basically had to keep it unlocked because of the illegal aliens that kept breaking in looking for food water or stuff to steal. They leave huge piles of trash. Most everyone in this area keeps armed due to the Illegal aliens down there destroying property and thieving.