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Invasive questions

TobedadTobedad member
in Dads & Dads-to-be
So me and my wife were at the pediatrician for her second appointment. Everything is going smoothy and I was holding baby while my wife answered the nurses questioniare. Then the nurse asks do you have any firearms in the house and while I was starting to talk my wife answered yes. I was livid at her becuase before baby was born we had talked about never telling anyone we own guns. I mean no one. I don't know who has access to their files and I know they have my address. My neighbors never see me take any in or out of the house becuase I put them in a large case that doesn't look like a gun case. I assume The reason the lady asked us was to educate parents in storing the weapon safely to protect the child. But they really don't need to know if you have one to say "hey guns are dangerous and should never be anywhere a child or an unauthorized adult could get to them." Which I would be very happy if they would have done to hopefully prevent a terrible accident from a negligent adult. But the nurse never gave a safety speel just was like ok you got em check that box on the computer. Becuase we both started to answer two different ways I think the nurse thought something illegal was going on or something by the way she looked at me.
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Re: Invasive questions

  • polooo27polooo27 member

    I did a quick google search about why a pediatrician would ask about gun ownership. It seems like it's an issue that is up for debate. On one hand people said it's irrelevant to medical care and on the other hand people said a quick conversation about gun storage from the pediatrician can prevent an accident.

    My thought if it was the nurse who asked then it's a question she has to ask and then it's up to the pediatrician to decide if they are going to give a gun safety speech or not. It might be a case that every nurse has to ask the question, but not every pediatrician cares. Or maybe you look like a guy who doesn't do stupid things with guns so the pediatrician gave you a pass on the speech. Just my thoughts.

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  • simesime13simesime13 member

    I am of the opinion that a pediatrician shouldn't have their nurse ask. The Dr doesn't need to know and it shouldn't affect medical care.

    However, I am all for pediatricians going ahead with the gun safety spiel for their patients. Here's my reasoning, some parents who own guns do not handle them correctly nor do they explain gun safety correctly.  And I am sure there are some parents that do not own guns and don't take the time to explain gun safety.  Therefore, if a pediatrician takes a few minutes to remind parents that THEY should explain gun safety to their kids, maybe all kids will get the information and avoid a medical situation.

    This doesn't mean that I think all gun owners are irresponsible or all non-gun owners are hippy freaks.  :)  I do think that parents sometimes forget to tell things to their kids. If a 5 minute spiel from a Dr reminds parents to do their job and save some kids, well, that's well worth it.

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  • polooo27polooo27 member
    I like that idea. Give the gun speech regardless if they have guns or not. Even though you may not have a gun you might have friends that do. The doctor speech can be a reminder to make sure your friends have their guns locked up when you visit.
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  • TobedadTobedad member
    I'm of the same opinion give it regardless. They don't need to ask if you have one. There are other things that should be in the safety speech other than guns. Like prescriptions. I take 7 different prescriptions for various reasons that would be detramental to a baby. Sometimes I set out my pills on the dressor and they can fall off. Since I realized my baby is going to be crawling eventually and putting stuff in her mouth I've changed my habit. Another thing is when company comes over to put their purses out of reach of children. Even if they had vitamins in their purse it could be harmful for a little one to get into. My sisters and mom do this out of practice when they visit becuase they all carry a pistol in their purse. Or they will normally leave it locked in their car.
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  • wildbutterfli2001wildbutterfli2001 member

    *lurking*

    At my sons first appointment with the Pedi this was a question on the questionnaire.  I thought that it was so very odd and invasive.  There has been no mention of it since and I'm still not sure what the rationale is for this question except to have "big brother" up in our business some more...

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  • TobedadTobedad member
    They don't need to know someone has a gun to give them a safety speech. It was said earlier that you may not own one but your friends might that you go visit regularly. We don't have pets but the home daycare that my daughter spends most of her days does.
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  • TobedadTobedad member
    The reasons for me feeling it is invasive is becuase I do not know who has access to their records and I don't want to be targeted for a robbery. The probability of me being targeted is much higher than me having an accident. And no none of my guns are registered because my state does not require it but they were all legal transactions. If they truly were wanting to make an impact then they should give a quick speech and hand you a brochure rather than asking if you have a firearm. There are plenty of organizations that give out free safety brochures.
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  • polooo27polooo27 member
    I just want to add that even though the pediatrician could see 20 kids in a day, they would only be giving the gun speech to new patients. They probably don't even get one new patient per day.
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  • simesime13simesime13 member

    Putting on my education hat....

    TJr42Poppa.  Should I ever get a chance to do baby education again, I might put together a small group of things like this topic and mention them in class.  I know that wouldn't be able to come close to touching all the parents in my area, but if we touched one and provided information to save them, it was worth it.


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  • sportbikeguy13sportbikeguy13 member
    I was never taught gun safety as a kid and I wish I had but I got my first two guns this year and honestly gun safety is common sense but you have to realize how dumb people can be sometimes. Tobedad you must live in the Midwest as well
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  • TobedadTobedad member
    I live in the Republic of Texas and when I started shooting the rifle was taller than me lol.
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  • tbmadeamistaketbmadeamistake member
    Asking about guns isn't invasive, it gives the doctor a read on the environment, and potential dangers of that environment, that their patients reside in. I think this article sums it up nicely. https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/30/pediatricians-have-the-right-to-ask-about-guns.html

    “Research has shown that physician counseling about gun locks and safe storage, tailored to a child’s specific age and development, increases the likelihood a family will take the steps to store their firearms safely. Pediatricians routinely counsel families about firearm safety just as they offer guidance on seat belt use, helmets and parental tobacco use to reduce the risk of injury to children where they live and play.”

    Lurker coming in with her two cents.

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

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  • TobedadTobedad member
    I'm an idiot for advocating for more awareness? If a parent was up to no good do you think they would admit to having a firearm in the house? That's why I'm advocating for everyone getting the safety speach because after all if it does SAVE A CHILDS LIFE THEN IT IS WORTH IT!!
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  • mmfelzymmfelzy member

    LURKER ALERT ;)

     

    I got asked that at my VERY first appointment, by the nurse, not my doc. We were still confirming we were pregnant... I was in awe. So my husband said, I don't, but my wife has two. My first thought was way to throw me under the bus.. but her WHOLE demeanor changed when he said that, i mean from tensed to releaxed. So what.. women are more responsible gun owners? I don't think so... I did not think it was relevant what so ever. I get keeping the kids safe thing.. but if we as parents are going to screw up... then we're going to screw up and the horriblely inevitable happens whether we answer yes or no to that question. my two cents. ;)

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