Doctor asks-guns in the house?

[38snapcaps]

Our family doctor has moved, I called the physician he recommended and had them send us "new patient" papers.

Among the usual health history questions are these two:
Are there guns in the house, yes or no.
If yes, are they unloaded and locked, yes or no.

How would you respond?

 

[98C5]

Nunya!!

 

[highorder]

dambidness.

 

[BURN]

I never answer them...I treat them like a rude question in public, or a politician responding to a hard question...I ignore it..

 

[CoRoMo]

N/A

That's how I'd respond.

 

[boatme99]

Never answer that one, or the marriage status one. No ones business.
Although, if an ex wife broke in and.. well, you get the idea.

 

[Rembrandt]

Question is about as relevant to your health as knowing what kind of car you drive.....answer N/A

 

[ClayInTX]

Why a “health history” question, anyway?

Will he not get your records from your previous doctor?

Seems a bit snoopy to me, and for no valid reason.

Unless he’s your psychiatrist; in which case he expects you to lie. So say “NO” and prove him right.

 

[Impureclient]

N/A = "yes I do and I don't want to say"
It is nobody's business but, might as well just say no if you are trying to hide the fact.

 

[HeXeD775]

tell them

Cross out guns & write in: kitchen knives, poisonous chemicals, bleach, ammonia, rope, matches, hammers, power tools, saws, nails, needles, razorblades, baseballbats, propane torches (if you have them) plate glass, tvs on tv stands, blenders, gasoline, electric cords, scissors, plastic bags. Then proceed to tell them that non of the above items have locks on them. Now what are they gonna say?

 

[MattTheHat]

My response would be "You're kidding, right?"


-Matt

 

[spartywrx]

Every doctor takes a history with a new patient. Just ignore the gun question.

 

[Claude Clay]

and 5 gallon pails without lids
a snow blower and a
wood chipper and a
table saw--pre fenced
and two chain saws

but the most dangerous two things in the house and
the most destructive, are the kids

but doc-- if its honest information concerning guns you want i can recommend a good forum to drop in on.
they however do not give medical advice.

 

[Blues Brother]

uh.........what in the heck does that have to do with a person's health????

 

[ArmedBear]

There are more doctors in the world.

One reason my folks immigrated to America was so they could tell people to **** off when it's appropriate. I'd say this is an example of when it's appropriate.

 

[Geno]

Last time I attended the appointment with my daughter, the pediatrician asked that very question,

Do you have guns in your home?

I calmly smiled and said,

At home?! No, I'm wearing them. But my daughter's pistols are at home, because she's too young to conceal them. She's a good shot!

The man nearly wet himself on the spot. As I exited with my daughter, he was still visibly shacking...literally, as he retorted to the nurse...

He's got a gun!

I've always said, don't ask what you don't want to know. Now, keep in mind, I also have a Ph.D., multiple Black Belts in martial arts, and was dressed in my nicest suit, preparing to go to the college to teach. So what the Hades gives with these stupid questions?!

Geno

 

[spartywrx]

Cross out guns & write in: kitchen knives, poisonous chemicals, bleach, ammonia, rope, matches, hammers, power tools, saws, nails, needles, razorblades, baseballbats, propane torches (if you have them) plate glass, tvs on tv stands, blenders, gasoline, electric cords, scissors, plastic bags. Then proceed to tell them that non of the above items have locks on them. Now what are they gonna say?
__________________

You forgot swimming pools. Lifetime odds of dying in a swimming pool is 1/5,501. Odds of dying in a firearms accident 1/5,981.

So your chances of dying from a pool is better than firearms. And yet we don't think twice about taking a swim on a hot day. Of course all of us gun owners probably already know this.




Source: National Center for Health Statistics 2006 causes of death.

PDF attached for all who want to read it. I encourage everyone to take a look. It is the ultimate ammo against gun-control ninnys.

 

[Mr. Alloy]

I actually checked the "yes" box for that question earlier this week. Yes, it may seem silly to single out guns over other dangerous household items, but if my doctor feels it's relevant information, I have no reason to deny it. After all, I'm guaranteed privacy under the law. And frankly, as an adult I feel I'm a lot more likely to accidentally hurt myself with a loaded gun than a piece of rope or a plastic bag.

Oh, and I happen to be a lifeguard, so I spend a lot more time thinking about pool safety than gun safety.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Although the question is not appropriate, keep in mind that it's in your best interest to have a good relationship with your doctor. No need for smartass answers. Just leave it blank or enter N/A. Keep it High Road.

 

[EHL]

 

[Isher]

Like any reasonable doctor,

He's just trying to find out if there is a firearm around,

So he can shoot you if there is no hope.


isher

 

[ArmedBear]

keep in mind that it's in your best interest to have a good relationship with your doctor.

Right. So go find a doctor who won't immediately destroy that relationship. It's still a free country.

 

[Gungnir]

I got asked that once, when going through an "Executive health screening" was damn good too, first time I've eaten in a hospital and it was good (that's what a $5k medical buys you). I answered honestly yes I do, and then asked why they wanted to know.

Simple fact is that it's statistics, people commit suicide with guns, and other household objects, but knives, pills, ropes, cars etc. are assumed to be there anyway. The doc was totally open about it, and thinks it's a stupid question anyway, he said we assume the rest and this is America so why not guns too.

It's not like they can tell anyone anyway without your permission.

 

[Cranky CJ]

Why not just ask your doctor why the question is on there? He is your doctor, his ONLY concern should be your health. Don't be confrotational, just ask. If you don't like his answer, go find another doctor.

 

[ArmedBear]

Why would your DOCTOR be interested in statistical information that was unrelated to your health?

"Did your whole family have strokes at age 50?" helps the doctor to prevent you from suffering the same fate.

If you want to shoot yourself, he can't prevent it anyway.