Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Why are doctors offices asking about guns?
In a striking development within the medical community, the personal matter of gun ownership is creeping into patient questionnaires.
William Kirk, President of Washington Gun Law, delves into this worrying trend, signaling a future where doctors may question patients on firearm possession and storage as part of routine check-ups.
Table of contents
A Policy Shift or Privacy Invasion?
This shift is partly attributed to the Biden administration’s approach to gun violence as a public health “crisis.”
Such a stance paves the way for medical professionals to join the dialogue on disarmament, raising concerns over privacy and the sanctity of patient-doctor relationships.
Your Next Doctor’s Visit Might Get Personal
Imagine discussing back pain, only to be queried about the guns you own. This scenario is becoming increasingly plausible as healthcare providers standardize inquiries into patients’ gun ownership.
Kirk warns that these questions, seemingly harmless, could be precursors to more invasive measures and potentially impact your right to bear arms.
SEE ALSO: DOJ Announces $200 Million Spend on Red Flag Laws
Kirk also expressed concerns over the potential use of medical data in the context of red flag laws.
“What’s the one category of individuals that they’re trying to include as a petitioner for a red flag law? That’s right, it’s physicians and mental health workers,” he noted, suggesting that this could lead to more than just awkward conversations in the doctor’s office.
An Alliance of Pro-Gun Doctors Emerges
Amidst growing apprehension, a group of pro-Second Amendment physicians is voicing their alarm.
Kirk referenced the group Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership (DRGO), which has been “beginning to very loudly sound the alarm bell as to the invasion of privacy which is taking place.”
They also work to connect gun owners with pro-2A providers.
Navigating the Conversation on Firearms with Your Doctor
Kirk urges viewers to arm themselves with knowledge and assert their rights in medical settings.
He stresses that firearm ownership is an inalienable right and should remain separate from health discussions, much like other constitutional rights are not subjects of medical scrutiny.
“You are the person paying the doctor here and so you have the right to go to any other physician… or to say, ‘Doc, that’s an interesting question. What’s the next question?'”
The Bottom Line: Be Prepared for Questions
As this trend gains momentum, influenced by healthcare giants and insurance providers, Kirk emphasizes readiness to address or deflect such inquiries.
He assures that being informed is a key part of responsible gun ownership, a recurrent theme on Washington Gun Law. Watch the video embedded above for the full breakdown.
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Do you own any guns? No Problem solved
Guns?? Why would I need a gun? We have police for those problems. I’m afraid of guns. Oh, can you recommend another physician? I don’t think we’re a good fit. Your talking about guns has scared me away from you.
No need to get upset. Just leave the question blank and/or tell them it’s none of their business. Doctors work for you, they don’t own you….
this invasion of privacy must be charged and sued if doctors ask you tell them nothing but do not bill me for this visit
Some questions from some questioners are worthy of false answers with no hint of disagreeing with the question.
Jokes on them, I haven’t had a Dr in 40yrs.
If doctors wanted to help people they would steer clear of petropharmacuticals,seems every “cure” they come up with causes 10 more ailments that require treatment. There is NO money in curing people, but if you can treat them for life they are a customer for life.
I’ve informed my treatment team (I have stage 3B Colorectal cancer) that any inquiry about any of my protected rights could be construed as malpractice, I disarm myself before entering the clinic but I still wear my extra magazines (harder to remove than my holster as they are belt loop attached) They understand that I carry lawfully and take time to practice and teach fundamental safety.
I thought I remembered this under Obama. If I recall there were questions that I put down a big NA (not applicable) in the Doctors office when filling out the preliminaries.
This is not a new approach. We were starting to get serious about gun violence as a medical epidemic in the mid-90s, albeit with a greater focus on handgun violence since we had an AWB like any sane country, when the Contract with America loons decided to limit government tools and resources we could direct towards sanity and passed laws to keep entire government departments like the CDC out of the search for solutions. Imagine what we could have done to push gun violence to the margins and beyond like cigarette smoking is today!
I am usually down on violent video games and the effect they have on kids but I do see some hope. Talking to the kids at my church, they have been taught by video games to view guns – and knives even! – only as weapons and only to be wielded by villains seeking death and destruction. As adults, how will today’s youth react to societal problems like gun violence if that is what their phones are teaching them today? It might take a couple of generations, but I am feeling more optomistic than I was a few months ago.
By now you are aware that people are violent, guns are NOT capable of being violent or heroic, charming, rude or intelligent. It’s too bad you are NOT bothered by the makers of video games trying to program children. The “AWB” that you refer to was based on a firearm having more than 3 specific features, such as a flash suppressor, mag well, semi-auto, bayonet lug, pistol grip and telescoping stock. So, minus a couple cosmetic features the very same firearms were available before, during and after the “AWB.” Please do NOT try in sneak in any bogus stats. You were once a FFL holder, you should be aware of all these circumstances.
The symbolic “AWB” that you longingly look back on was part of the the Clinton Crime Bills of 1994. Way back in 1994 Democrats would make crime reductions a political issue. Today, most of that legislation is seen as another vestige of “White privalege.” That’s why historically lefties always have purges and kill off the old embarrassing dinosaures like you, Blue Dog.
Take that to post NPRrrr. They/them would probably think it makes sense.
just say “NO”!
or be like me and stay away from doctors!!!
That’s exactly my thought
paul, don’t deny yourself health care because of stubbornness and misinformation conspiracy theories! Doctors just want to help you. I went and saw mine just yesterday!
why when they cant cure my CAPD??? there is no corrective action for it!
in case you are wondering it stands for “can’t afford a proper disease”……
Sorry, if doctors “just wanted to help you” they wouldn’t be asking that question. If I have to be Mirandized to go see my doctor, we’re done. Fortunately my current doctors have common sense.
If doctors wanted to help people they would steer clear of petropharmacuticals,seems every “cure” they come up with causes 10 more ailments that require treatment. There is NO money in curing people, but if you can treat them for life they are a customer for life.
Did he declare you brain dead? If not I urge you to get a second opinion.
“Conspiracy theories”? Is that the boogieman the left now uses to shutdown otherwise rational debate? I guess “racist” is getting a little threadbare. FYI, every conspiracy starts out as a theory. Hunter Biden call your office, your laptop is ready.