OT: Asked if I had a gun in my home during physical.

[2flamingos]

I have never been asked any of those questions at a doctors visit, and I think if I were - my response would be nunya! IF they didn't understand that, I would say let me explain - It's none of your damn business! While I believe my doctor does need to know everything that relates to my health, things such as smoke detectors, Carbon Monoxide detectors, and firearms do not have an impact on my health - anymore than do I pee standing up or sitting down does.

As for the technicians response and attitude, not only would I advise that I knew I did not have to answer, I would also advise that I could let the dr know abour their attitude and tell them I would not be treated that way, and not to have that particular tech assigned to my case any more. I have had to do that with techs/nurses before because they made inappropriate and insensitive comments to and/or about me, or faield to do somethign they were supposed to and tried to blame me.

My insurace company and I pay good money for these dr visits, and I expect professional service from all involved.

[Pugsy]

Recent update of those nosy questions paperwork with my doctor only had the "do you feel safe at home" stuff.
Geared for potential abusive situations I think from the wording on the forms that I had.

Gosh to the question "do I have gun at home?" Would I say "No, I have several"(My gut smart ass response)? Or would I leave it blank? Bet I would leave it blank.. I am not suicidal and only occasionally homicidal but gun possession doesn't pertain to my medical history unless I was stupid enough to shoot myself cleaning it or something. There comes a time when all these questions "to help you" exceeds my privacy boundaries. This one would cross that line for me.

[deerslayer]

I would have to have some fun with the gun question - I would reply, "Usually, when I am at home but right now I have it on me as I am licensed to carry a concealed weapon."

dadgum, beat me to it

[robysue]

Can't say I can recall being asked about guns at the doctor's office. Have been asked about whether I use my seat belt when I'm driving though.

But back to guns: Every time my hubby and I cross the Canadian border, the Canadian customs person asks: Any guns on board? I've always wondered just what the heck they'd do if we said Yes. But the truthful answer is always No since we don't own any guns and even if we did, I wouldn't be brave or stupid enough to try to take one into Canada.

Our most bizarre tale about US-Canadian border crossings, however is pretty weird: When my husband, my teen-aged son, and I were driving to MI to visit my daughter two summers ago, we drove across southern Ontario in the middle of the night. US Customs spotted & flagged us for additional questioning while we were (barely) on the US side of the bridge at Sarnia. Pulled up to US customs and as the driver of the car, I got asked all kinds of bizarre questions that we'd never been asked before. Including: Anybody have any recent medical testing? We'd forgotten my husband had a barium x-ray of his large intestine some six to eight weeks earlier that summer.

US Customs told us to pull over for additional screening and told us to get out of the car, and they then started scanning the outside of our car with (what we later learned) was a geiger counter. But the agents would not tell us what the heck they were looking for as. One finally asked us if we had any bananas with us. Nope. Hubby, son, and I are all scratching our heads about why ask about bananas? And the customs agents then went through the whole inside of the car with the geiger counter. And then they scanned each of us with the geiger counter. After hubby set it off, they ask him: Why are you radioactive? That's when he remembered the barium x-ray from a month or two earlier. And the agent was satisfied and said something about "welcome home" even though we'd only left the States maybe three hours earlier. We asked (politely) about why he'd asked us about the bananas. He told us (with a very serious face) that once bananas get overripe (as they'll quickly do in a car in the summer), they can start emitting just enough radioactive decay from the potassium to trigger the radiation detectors on our borders.

[Starlette]

Thank you for your feedback. I’m responding back.

@jbn3boys – Regarding technician, I don’t think she was new. However, her mannerisms were very robotic/aloof.

@jmnsc – "Usually, when I am at home but right now I have it on me as I am licensed to carry a concealed weapon." I wish I would have responded that way. Would have shut her up right away! Next time I’ll be prepared.

@Slartybarfast – News Article, “1,229 children age 10 to 14 died of unintentional injuries in 2007; 26 deaths were gun-related.” If I did my division correctly only 2% of 1,229 were caused by gunshot. To me that doesn’t justify being asked such a question.
Article, “Doctors to Spy on Patients' Gun Ownership” – “With good reason, patients may now perceive that their doctors, in asking them about guns in their homes, are acting more as an arm of the government prying into their personal lives than as their advocates in health care.” I can see that as clear as the nose on my face. I think this quote from the article will follow me out of this world, “"Corrosion," as Dr. Alexander wrote, "begins in microscopic proportions."”
Amednews.com Article – Contrary to this article Starty, it was the “technician” not the “PCP” who asked me the question. Therefore, I’m beginning to wonder if she would be held accountable since she would not be classified as a healthcare “Professional”.

@lars4life – Regarding your comeback, “Why do you ask?” I wished I would have thought of that myself. I just wasn’t quick on the draw (no pun intended). I wasn’t prepared for such a question.

@Goofproof – Your statement, “The whole idea is formed around, the Gov wants to find out where all guns are. They need that info so they can take control of the population. The last thing a corrupt gov wants is the population to have a means to rebel against a corrupt Gov.” When my 14 year old nephew went to the Whitehouse for a school tour a month or two ago, in order JUST TO GET IN the Whitehouse, they went not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES screening before allowed in!!!

@Goofproof – “but if it will make me healthier, I'll get two”. I didn’t get what you said at first, now I get it. I’ll support you on that!

@Blackspinner – “Do they also want to know about the vibrators, hand cuffs and whips?” *scratches head* Don’t know why they didn’t bother to ask either.

@Archangel – I agree with your input 200%!!! At the moment, I feel psychologically/emotionally manipulated and raped. I thought along those lines “psychological manipulation” too as I pondered over how the three questions were delivered.

@Pugsy – “Or would I leave it blank?” I wish the question was in written format. Otherwise, I would have left it blank also. It was a verbal question that she was going over on the computer. NOTE: I know my answer was inputted somewhere!

Starlette

[archangle]

Whenever you're asked any question these days, you should ask, "Do I want the government, Wall Street, snoopy politicians, petty bureaucrats, the democrat and republican party, political lobbyists, corporate America, fringe political groups, insurance companies, people looking for people to steal from, identity thieves, junk mail groups, computer hackers, newspaper reporters looking for a story, lawyers looking for someone to sue, future employers, divorce lawyers, creditors, credit bureaus, etc., to know this information?

Nobody, not even the medical corporations has good security these days. Even where there is "privileged information," it doesn't necessarily stay privileged. Or you're forced to "voluntarily" agree to disclosure in order to get a job, credit, rent an apartment, etc. Or it's hidden in the fine print of some contract you sign or in the fine print of some law.

[VA3AEQ]

Try living in Canada! We have a mandatory long gun registry and mandatory possession/acqusistion licenses. You have to renew your possession/acquisition license periodically, if you report that you have been treated for depression the government revokes your license and you are immediately flagged as an illegal gun owner. Scary but true.

[McSnoresalot]

I had a hand cannon (Colt Python .357 Mag w/6" barrel, Stainless) that we used to carry on the boat as a halibut thumper - got rid of it when the fist kid was born. Note: Canada is NOT messing around with guns - when you fish in the Straight of Juan DeFuca, make sure you have the GPS set with an audible alarm if you get within 1/4 mile of the border. Have heard stories of US fisherman inadvertantly drifting over the line and getting boarded by Canadian Coasties - "what is this, Eh?" - a gun on board gets you a free ride over to Canada, discussions with the US consul and your boat seized.

I am far too lazy/busy to put in the time to stay sharp with a handgun - those things are hard to hit stuff with, especially the ones with the little short barrels designed for concealed carry.

Long guns are a completely different deal - I have a bunch of 'em. Most of them are heirloom pieces I wouldn't fire on a bet, got an old Kentucky Long Rifle I KNOW hung in my Grandparents house for 50 years and Gramps said it'd hung over the fireplace of HIS grandparents house for 50 years before that. Got a couple of turn-of-the century coach guns - massive bore - 10 ga. maybe? Some old Marilin and Winchester lever action's, old bolt-action .22's and pretty good assortment of shotguns. Still have kids running around so most of the firearms are locked up (One hanging over the fireplace) - no ammo anywhere so if I ever have to use one for self-defense, I'll be swinging it like a club. I do shoot sporting clays and skeet - shotguns seem to suit me better, pretty good shot with my Wingmaster 20 ga.

If the Doc asked me that question, I'd ask him/her the same question right back...doubt I'd answer them though, does not seem appropriate to me. Now they want to know about guns, whats next: Compound Bow, Crossbow, Speargun, Wrist Rocket, Potato Gun, Pellet Gun (Some of the new ones are basically 22 cal rifles).....etc. Slippery Slope.

Mac

[BlackSpinner]

Sing the "Hallelujah chorus" but replace the "Hallelujah" with "Paranoia" - Great song! very appropriate.

[cflame1]

if having a gun is anything like transporting booze... well it can get your vehicle torn apart. I once travelled in a caravan of students (we were going home to Canada after the term was done), one car had booze (not mine)... the other's didn't. If you admitted to being with the car that did... your vehicle was torn apart, just the same as the one that did. Needless to say I left the caravan before we got to the border.

[Spirit]

I've never been asked this question, but I do get asked are you depressed each visit. I honestly don't believe asking an adult, if they own a gun at home has anything to do with children. Many patients do not have children. In my opinion, most children/teens love to play with sharp objects, mainly knives, lighters, matches setting fires etc.....

I believe the question is in reference to mental health of the patient. Suicidal, harming themselves, harming others. Side effects from medications, can cause a person to think irrationally, especially psych meds. Most apnea patients are prescribed sleep meds/sedatives/psych meds to aid in sleep.

Now, if the OP was asked, do you have children ? then Do you own a gun in your home ? This is referanced to children.

But, a question like that would surpise me too.

[TalonNYC]

Did they ask if you had kids, or if kids were usually in or around your home? If so, then the question is legit, as many doctors are reminding those who smoke or have firearms about the dangers of both near children. I don't really think it's any of their business, but at least it's a reasonable method to the madness.

If not, then it's some demographic thing and/or they may be anti-gun and try to dissuade you from owning one. Either way, call the local news and drop a hint that the doctor is asking about things that don't have anything to do with your health.

Stupid stuff like asking these questions keeps people from going to doctors, which is a horrible thing to do!

[napstress]

During my physicals my doctor acts as if I'm taking up too much time asking her questions. If we wasted even 15 seconds on that conversation when we could be talking about my health, I'd be pissed!

Maybe she's never asked me b/c she can't get a word in edgewise!

[chunkyfrog]

I've never been asked that question; but if it were posed, I would ask,"If I don't answer, are you required to hazard a guess?"

[fuzzy96]

i'm sorry that is none of thier buisness and i'd have told them so in no uncertain terms.
and i probably woud've said "who needs one anyways when i can kill you just as easily with a no 2 pencil"
at some point this stupid bs must stop.
i remember reading a quote that goes something like "the streets are safe now that we have removed the guns from our society" it was said by ADOLF HITLER

sorry i go to the doc for medical reasons. not for some interrogation. i get enough of that at home