# I pit anti-gun pediatricians **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 21, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578 "2013-03-21T22:40:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/1 "2013-03-21T22:40:49Z")
I took my kid to the pediatrician the other day and they asked mea bunch of questions about things like his vocabulary, his pre-school, his potty training and the last question was “do you have a firearm in the house?” I said yes and asked why they were asking that question. They said, they just wanted to give us useful safety information about having firearms in the house, and they gave us some information so basic that only a moron wouldn’t already know. I asked if they had any safety information about having a pool in our back yard. They didn’t. [http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=is+a+pool+more+dangerous+than+a+gun&mid=F5475C438EAA4F6654A4F5475C438EAA4F6654A4&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=is+a+pool+more+dangerous+than+a+gun&mid=F5475C438EAA4F6654A4F5475C438EAA4F6654A4&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1) If your objective is to provide safety information, then why the heck would you ask about guns but not about pools? ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/2 "2013-03-21T23:01:56Z")
I never believed it but you’ve finally convinced me. They really are coming to take your guns. Sucks to be you! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/3 "2013-03-21T23:09:03Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > They said, they just wanted to give us useful safety information about having firearms in the house, and they gave us some information so basic that only a moron wouldn’t already know. Sadly, there are plenty, PLENTY of morons about that do not know squat about gun safety. You may not be one of them, but even you know that they exist in significant numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/4 "2013-03-21T23:12:28Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I said yes and asked why they were asking that question. They said, they just wanted to give us useful safety information about having firearms in the house, and they gave us some information so basic that only a moron wouldn’t already know. > > I asked if they had any safety information about having a pool in our back yard. They didn’t. > > If your objective is to provide safety information, then why the heck would you ask about guns but not about pools? Do you have any idea how many morons own guns? Me either, but I’m going to guess quite a few (and I’d guess somewhat (but not a lot) higher than their percentage in the general population). I do agree that they should be asking about pools and have info on those also. Although, since pools generally require zoning approval and insurance coverage, that information is probably already provided to the large majority of pool owners, morons and otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/5 "2013-03-21T23:28:08Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > I never believed it but you’ve finally convinced me. They really are coming to take your guns. Sucks to be you! No, they are coming to take your pool! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/6 "2013-03-21T23:34:26Z")
Also, it’s possible that some group is providing the gun pamphlets for free. It might even be a gun group providing them. If the pool folks were handing out pamphlets, they’d have those, too. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/7 "2013-03-21T23:42:23Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Also, it’s possible that some group is providing the gun pamphlets for free. It might even be a gun group providing them. Or a gun dealer. They sell things other than guns ‘n’ ammo, like gun safes and trigger locks, and at an appropriate profit. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/8 "2013-03-21T23:42:32Z")
Ask the doctor if he’s been trained in firearms safety. Ask if he’ll sign a release accepting liability if his instructions are followed and there is an incident of any kind. I’ll bet he’d shut up really fast. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/9 "2013-03-21T23:51:33Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Do you have any idea how many morons own guns? Me either, but I’m going to guess quite a few (and I’d guess somewhat (but not a lot) higher than their percentage in the general population). hey everybody! people who own things I don’t like are dumber than me! ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/10 "2013-03-22T00:01:32Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Ask the doctor if he’s been trained in firearms safety. Ask if he’ll sign a release accepting liability if his instructions are followed and there is an incident of any kind. I’ll bet he’d shut up really fast. Most likely it’s not something he’s asking because he wants to. It’s part of the list of questions Physicians are having to ask- they teach medical students to ask about Sunblock, Fire Alarms, Seatbelts, and yes Fire Arms. With the response being if you have firearms make sure they’re out of reach of children and the ammo stored separately from the gun itself. Too many stupid mistakes can be prevented by simple reminder sometimes, and it’s a simple 1-2 liner that might remind someone and save a life. And as for “Is anyone really that dumb?” :dubious: There’s a reason Coffee cups come with the label “Contents may be Hot”. The Pediatrician’s office is up there with the ER for those types of stories. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/11 "2013-03-22T00:04:24Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > Most likely it’s not something he’s asking because he wants to. It’s part of the list of questions Physicians are having to ask… Have to? If they are legally required to, then they have to. Otherwise, they are doing it because they want to. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/12 "2013-03-22T00:24:27Z")
Not necessarially. Legal requirements aren’t the only type of coercion on our healthcare providers. Say Daddy Moron and Mommy Moron love each other VERY much and make pwecious pwincess moron. Prewcious Pwincess moron plays with Daddy Moron’s boom stick and loses a foot. They say Dr. never warned them babies liked to play with daddy’s toys. One might expect, like their little pwincess, the morons wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. But! Crafty Shyster Sonofabitch learns that it is common practice for other pediatricians to ask about firearms in the house. Now Shyster Sonofabitch claims pediatrician wasn’t following the normal standards of care because he didn’t give advice about firearm safety around young children to Messr and Msses Moron. Pediatrician loses malpractice suit, sportcoat, and matching slacks. I know it’s often misused, but one of the major contributions to the at fault verdict in the infamous McDonalds coffee lawsuit is that all the other fast food places served their coffee significantly cooler than McDonalds. The tallest blades of grass are the ones that meet the mower. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/13 "2013-03-22T00:26:59Z")
Let them ask, tell them no, and get on with your life. We did a multi-page thread about this a while back, and there’s no reason to do it again. Yes, it’s none of their business. They’re still going to ask, and being all confrontational about it accomplishes nothing. Tell them what they want to hear to avoid the lecture and it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/14 "2013-03-22T00:52:27Z")
Ok, that’s it. No more swimming pools. Gone, banned. Now please, please, _please_ shut the fuck up and go spend some quality alone time with your goddamned motherfucking guns. Here’s some condoms, lube and Courvoisier. Just hang the necktie on the door and I promise, no jackbooted thugs will burst in. _Yeah, baby._ ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/15 "2013-03-22T00:52:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Have to? If they are legally required to, then they have to. Otherwise, they are doing it because they want to. Seriously? My job has plenty of requirements that have nothing to do with the law. I imagine doctors are the same. I don’t really get why people are so uptight about this. Accidental injury is the leading cause of death amongst small children, so doctors give out free bicycle helmets, hand out “Mr Yuck” stickers (do they still do that?), encourage parents to get child-seats for their cars and give out pamphlets reminding gunowners to lock up their weapons. I’m sure Doper parents are smart enough to do all that stuff on their own, but there are plenty of surprisingly dumb people who still manage to get kids. At worst, the reminders don’t do any harm, at best, they probably save a few lives. I mean, at the end of the day, the OP’s complaint boils down to someone giving them a free pamphlet. If you don’t want it, throw it out. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/16 "2013-03-22T01:14:33Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Ask the doctor if he’s been trained in firearms safety. Ask if he’ll sign a release accepting liability if his instructions are followed and there is an incident of any kind. I’ll bet he’d shut up really fast. I like that. You can also point out the statistics for dog bite by the family pet, cat scratch fever, and whatever the heck it is you get from pet birds. Swimming pool deaths, kitchen burns and drowning in the bath tub. Homes are _dangerous_! ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/17 "2013-03-22T01:22:21Z")
You use bing? You’re not smart enough to handle grownup things. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/18 "2013-03-22T01:25:07Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > hey everybody! people who own things I don’t like are dumber than me! I’ve found that to be a reliable guide. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/19 "2013-03-22T01:27:10Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > If your objective is to provide safety information, then why the heck would you ask about guns but not about pools? In [2011, 565 American children were murdered.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/child-gun-deaths-newtown_n_2347920.html) I can’t find the number right now who shot themselves to death, but that must also number in the hundreds if not thousands. As for US child pool deaths, the numbers are just plain less. I can’t find the exact number there either, but it [seems to be around 250.](http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2012/Nearly-140-Tragic-Child-Drownings-In-Pools-and-Spas-Reported-By-Media-In-Summer-2012/) [Gun in the home increase risk of gunshot.](http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/160/10/929.full) [Learning to swim reduces drowning risk.](http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html) So pediatricians should discourage having guns in the house, and encourage swimming lessons. Most pediatricians around here trained in Philadelphia, where gunshots wounds are common and pools rare. In a community where pools without trained lifeguards are common, I would, if a pediatrician with a patient under age five, ask about it. Right after asking about guns – regardless of the child’s age. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/20 "2013-03-22T01:35:39Z")
Your kid’s in preschool? Then the household poisons and pool safety conversations should have already happened when he was a baby/toddler. The gun question is more appropriate for preschool children who spend some time at home unsupervised and have the physical strength to pull a trigger. And yeah, we were taught in Peds to bring up guns when parents of preschoolers come in. Also moody teens. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578.md?page=2)