Stop Doctors From Interrogating Children about ‘Daddy’s Guns’

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- SB 432 is on the agenda of FL Senate Committee on Health Regulation on Tuesday, March 22. Florida Carry, Inc. urgently requests that you send e-mails via the links provided to each of the committees members in support of Senate Bill 432.
SB 432 provides that inquiries by physicians or other medical personnel concerning the ownership of a firearm by a patient or the family of a patient or the presence of a firearm in a private home or other domicile of a patient or the family of a patient violates the privacy of the patient or the patient’s family members, respectively.
The bill also prohibits entry of certain information concerning firearms into medical records or disclosure of such information by specified individuals, provides noncriminal penalties, and provides for prosecution of violations, etc.
Primarily, but not limited to the American Academy of Pediatrics, had made the banning of handguns a priority under the guise of a children’s safety issue.
Not satisfied with merely providing household safety information, doctors have been specifically asking both parents AND CHILDREN about guns in the home, and have denied service to those who refuse to answer.

A woman in Ocala, FL refused to answer her pediatrician’s inquiries during her daughters routing physical checkup and as a result was given 30 days to find a replacement pediatrician for her three children. Not everyone has the money, time, or transportation to find another pediatrician. Firearm ownership information has been entered on patient records, and has been released to unauthorized third parties. A mother in Uxbridge, MA objected to her child being asked about “daddy’s guns”, and stopped the doctor’s intrusive questioning. Days later, she found out from a friend on the police force that the doctor had filed a report about the family’s lawful ownership of guns.
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In fact, one of our own members was subjected to this intrusion. He posted his experience here: www.floridacarry.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=71#p913
There are exceptions in the bill for legitimate inquiries with regards to mental health professionals and emergency situations, and there is nothing that prevents a doctor from providing information on any topic including firearms safety.
The bill merely prevents doctors from asking about firearms and then denying service based on an answer not to their liking.

 

Confused. I am in Florida, been to the doctors twice in five years. They only ask kids? I am about to be a stepdad of two children, what do I need to know here? My firearms are locked up . Hell the kids don't even know about them.

 

Tell your represenatives to support SB432.

 

It's not my guns I worry about. It's the guns and some dipshit's house that doesn't lock them up or educate his kids about guns.

 

If I were to have a kid and they asked him about my guns...well i doubt the doctors would be pleased.

 

Forgive my ignorance... But what the hell should a doctor care if there are guns in a household if the doctor isn't treating a gun shot wound? Could someone explain this shit to me?

 

If I have my child at a pediatrician that is wasting his time and mine asking my child about my guns instead of taking care of my child's medical needs I'm getting another pediatrician toot sweet irregardless of what the first one thinks, says or does about my guns.

 

I had one doctor have a question about guns in the home on their application on an initial visit. Then proceeded to inform him that doctors in this country kill 50% more people than firearms do.

 

I appreciate the complexities of leaving loaded guns around in the home, but if thats even a concern shouldn't the doctor be asking the parent about guns in the house and not the child? Am I incorrect in thinking that this is a discussion for 2 adults? If the parent doesn't want to answer the question, then they don't have to.

I still don't understand why this is even an issue? Is it too confusing for people to figure out what a prudent course of action is? Why does there need to be a law against this? I'm not saying it isn't weird or wrong, I'm just baffled that this subject even warranted more than a passing acknowledgment, let alone enough attention to have someone write up legislation over it.

 

i fail to see how any of it is medical related period!!!!!!!!!! if a kid comes in with a gun shot wound OK, but other then that not a DR. place to ask or try to teach a kid about firearms handling!!!!!!!! that is my job with my kids, what the hell is wrong with this country anymore? DR. asking kids about guns is the dumbest thing i have ever heard of. i teach hunters ED and firearms safety a DR. has no place even talking about it.

my kids answer would be go to hell if they DR. ask them about my guns and i think my wife would tell them where to stick it period.

 

Dr doing the far left bidding

 

So this bill is to close a denial of service loophole?

Last time I checked, despite the best intentions of the current administration, health care in the United States is still a business, which means that the proprietors of those businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone they chose, for whatever reasons they choose so long as to not be discriminatory.

So if a doctor asks about guns in the house because their insurer demands it, or because they fear backlash from misdiagnosis, or because they just plain want to, that's their right as a business. Plus, if a doctor feels that a person may commit a crime based upon knowledge they have received, they have a legal obligation to report it.

The thing is that capitalism is a two-way street. If you don't like a doctor that asks your kids about gun ownership, get a new doctor.

 

Following up my earlier post, there is no good reason for those doctors to report ownership statistics to third parties or law enforcement unless they feel a crime is imminent.

I can see closing that loophole as viable and worthwhile.