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?
Florida does have the law; it was discussed on PBS the other evening. I don't really get what is so threatening about being asked about guns in the home or being given info about safety concerns related to guns, but it's just so offensive to their delicate sensibilities that they actually passedalaw making it illegal.
Gun rights and ownership can be a sensitive issue, I liken it to abortion.
I personally do not care if people ask me but I know some that see it as an invasion of privacy and find it rude. Many of those that own firearms know that those who do not may take offense from it or fear being judged (which they are) so do not like the question being asked.
I know 3 seperate couples that changed pediatricians because they were asked about firearm ownership.
Some see the assessment being a potential barrier to healthcare, I can see why some do not want the question asked.
Example of State Militia is the Texas State Guard they report directly to the Governor of Texas at all times.
"Greg Abbott incited more distrust by ordering a Texas militia to keep the real U.S. military under a watchful eye to prevent any violations of the Constitution and Texans' liberties. Abbott sent a letter instructing the Commander of the Texas State Guard, a state militia and not the real National Guard,†to monitor the military's movements and update the governor's office. Abbott issued an official Tweet exacerbating Texans' paranoia about federal tyranny that read; I've ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor Jade Helm 15 to safeguard Texans' constitutional rights, private property & civil liberties.†"
The National Guard responds to orders from their Governor only during peace time, the President can nationalize the guard at any moment and order the guard to to do things contrary to the wishes of their Governor.
The way the Second Amendment is written it reads that the militia is seperate from "the people" but both entities being armed is essential. The Supreme Court has ruled on the IIA many times and has upheld the right of citizens of the United States to be armed, regardless of membership in the National Guard.
Personally I don't think it is anyone's business. I personally have several. My daughters have been shooting since age 5. I have worked in picu in the ghetto of Chicago and ed level in 1 peds trauma. I know the gangs will always have guns, I want to them to be able to protect theirself. Btw I live in a gun friendly state.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
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.
Hppy
I considered this fact too. (Regarding his friends)
I'm all for gun ownership. At this time, it's not for me. Perhaps in the future.
I'm totally not against my son being exposed to guns. His father has taken him to the range. I'm okay with that, too.
The National Guard responds to orders from their Governor only during peace time, the President can nationalize the guard at any moment and order the guard to to do things contrary to the wishes of their Governor.
Negative
The Texas Guard the Governor has full control over this militia
"The Texas Military Forces is the three-branch military of the U.S. state of Texas. It is composed of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard. All three branches are administered by the state adjutant general, an appointee of the Texas governor, and fall under the command of the governor.[1] (The Army and Air National Guards are under the command of the Governor, unless the President of the United States activates the Guard into federal service by executive order. As for the Texas State Guard, the governor of Texas has sole control over this force."
I didn't know we had this. More states should have this. I am surprised that Texas lacks this.
I have never heard this question asked in Texas, and I have never heard any person say they have been asked that question while at a doctor office. I assume we don't that law here since it not an issue.
I can see Yankee states like New York or liberal states like California requesting this information
I have never heard this question asked in Texas, and I have never heard any person say they have been asked that question while at a doctor office. I assume we don't that law here since it not an issue.
I can see Yankee states like New York or liberal states like California requesting this information
Yankee states??? Really??? The Civil War was over a long time ago, my friend.
I think having a law preventing health care providers from asking ANYTHING that pertains to the safety and well being of a patient is outrageous. Are gun lovers really that paranoid that doctors are coming to get their guns?? I don't give a rat's patootie if you have a gun...have a million of them. But I do care that they are stored safely so that my patient and anyone who is at their house is not in any undue danger. I'm not going to share that info with anyone. I'm not going to sneak in their house and take away the guns. I don't get why asking is so offensive. We ask questions that are so much more personal-illegal drug use, unprotected sex, etc. Why the uproar and righteous indignation???
The Texas Guard the Governor has full control over this militia
"The Texas Military Forces is the three-branch military of the U.S. state of Texas. It is composed of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard. All three branches are administered by the state adjutant general, an appointee of the Texas governor, and fall under the command of the governor.[1] (The Army and Air National Guards are under the command of the Governor, unless the President of the United States activates the Guard into federal service by executive order. As for the Texas State Guard, the governor of Texas has sole control over this force."
I have never heard this question asked in Texas, and I have never heard any person say they have been asked that question while at a doctor office. I assume we don't that law here since it not an issue.
I can see Yankee states like New York or liberal states like California requesting this information
I have heard this in Arizona, the most gun friendly state in the Union but to be fair we do have our issues with California liberals flocking to our great state.
Yankee states??? Really??? The Civil War was over a long time ago, my friend.
I think having a law preventing health care providers from asking ANYTHING that pertains to the safety and well being of a patient is outrageous. Are gun lovers really that paranoid that doctors are coming to get their guns?? I don't give a rat's patootie if you have a gun...have a million of them. But I do care that they are stored safely so that my patient and anyone who is at their house is not in any undue danger. I'm not going to share that info with anyone. I'm not going to sneak in their house and take away the guns. I don't get why asking is so offensive. We ask questions that are so much more personal-illegal drug use, unprotected sex, etc. Why the uproar and righteous indignation???
Because there is serious debate on whether asking about gun ownership has any real bearing on healthcare and for some, can be a barrier to care.
You have to keep in mind that gun ownership is not like owning an iPod or a KitchenAid. Sometimes it is cultural or even religious. Most people see the question of asking about firearms to be politically motivated, nothing more.
The rationale behind asking about ownership is dubious at best and some may see that the healthcare practitioner's time may be better spent on other things.
I've been asked about gun ownership, never about whether I had a fire alarm and only rarely about drug use. The car seat question seems to be standard though.
Asystole RN
2,352 Posts
Gun rights and ownership can be a sensitive issue, I liken it to abortion.
I personally do not care if people ask me but I know some that see it as an invasion of privacy and find it rude. Many of those that own firearms know that those who do not may take offense from it or fear being judged (which they are) so do not like the question being asked.
I know 3 seperate couples that changed pediatricians because they were asked about firearm ownership.
Some see the assessment being a potential barrier to healthcare, I can see why some do not want the question asked.