# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/21 "2013-03-22T01:40:56Z")
Wait. I’m supposed to mad because your pediatrician is looking out for the well-being of your child? Ooookay :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/22 "2013-03-22T01:47:17Z")
If someone(s) are making doctors waste their time on things like this, why doesn’t society just go to the core of the problem and make sure that before Mr and Mrs Moron have Prewcious Pwincess, they attend and graduate from a class on basics? “How not to kill your kids 101”. Can cover everything in one fell swoop! ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/23 "2013-03-22T01:50:32Z")
Let’s say half a doctor’s patients own guns, and 95% of those who do are perfectly aware and compliant when it comes to gun safety. That means a pediatrician who sees 40 kids a day is sending one kid home every day to a potentially unsecured gun. I think 95% is optimistic. Certainly the vast majority of gun owners are safe about it, but plenty aren’t. “I have one, but he doesn’t know where it is.” (Yes, he does.) “I keep it up in the top of the closet where he can’t get to it.” (He doesn’t know how to stand on a chair?) “I keep it loaded in the nightstand, and I told him I’d whoop him if he touches it.” (Don’t get in Daddy’s forbidden drawer of mystery!) Some are well-meaning and just honestly never thought about it. Who is going to talk to them about gun safety if not the pediatrician? If I had my way people would have to take a gun safety class before they could own a gun, but until I’m in charge they’ll sell one to pretty much anybody. So the pediatrician can let those few people persist in their ignorance because they don’t want to offend people who are so uptight about their precious boom sticks that the very mention that they ought to be careful with it wads their panties up something fierce. Or, he can ask some simple questions, you can give some simple answers, and everybody can move on. (For the record, there are four docs in my clinic, and the other three all hold concealed carry permits and have small children in their houses. The overwhelming majority of doctors I know are politically conservative, and in my own circle most are gun owners. I’m the token liberal, and I don’t give a shit about guns, except that I’d sure like people who have them to be careful with them.) ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/24 "2013-03-22T02:08:04Z")
Weak pitting. A doctor asked about a risk. “How dare my doc ask if i eat junk food and have unprotected sex! How is it their business?” ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/25 "2013-03-22T02:23:05Z")
Jesus, gun nuts sure are pussies. Makes sense, I suppose. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/26 "2013-03-22T02:23:10Z")
Don’t see where the OP’s doctor was anti-gun. The doctor didn’t urge the OP to get rid of his guns, just advised him not to be a moron with them. Being anti-moron oughtn’t to be controversial. ---
**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, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/27 "2013-03-22T02:44:07Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > If someone(s) are making doctors waste their time on things like this, why doesn’t society just go to the core of the problem and make sure that before Mr and Mrs Moron have Prewcious Pwincess, they attend and graduate from a class on basics? “How not to kill your kids 101”. Can cover everything in one fell swoop! Works for me. Can we also put everybody on birth control until they can manage to pass the class, and if they fail the class 5 times we sterilize them? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/28 "2013-03-22T03:03:33Z")
I was all set to pile on and defend the doctor for a simple question that might be important. For an opposing view, there’s [this](http://http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2013/01/22/why-doctors-should-not-ask-their-patients-about-guns/). ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/29 "2013-03-22T03:07:08Z")
Weak sauce OP, I give it a 1. Look, you want to keep your guns and get an M16 or whatever, fine. I don’t give a shit. But you pit your pediatrician because he asks you about guns, just lame. If he asks you about seat belts, what are you going to do then? Where do you live anyway? How common are swimming pools there? I live in an affluent neighborhood i n Denver, and I would bet that not one house in 50 has pools in this town , probably more like 1 in 200, but I bet at least 30% of the houses in this rich republican enclave have guns… should I pit my pediatrician? Dude, there is plenty of bullshit in this world to get annoyed at, including politians passing stupid gun control laws for political gain that won’t do shit, but pitting your kid’s doctor is just fucking dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/30 "2013-03-22T03:09:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was all set to pile on and defend the doctor for a simple question that might be important. For an opposing view, there’s [this](http://http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2013/01/22/why-doctors-should-not-ask-their-patients-about-guns/). Good article, good points raised, but the pitting is still lame. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/31 "2013-03-22T03:15:11Z")
My pediatrician told me not to feed honey to my son before he turned one. Damned anti-honey wacko. She also told me not to use a drop-side crib and to put those stupid shields on my electrical outlets. What a bitch. ---
**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 22, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/32 "2013-03-22T03:56:46Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > 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. And people who own pools are generally smarter or something? > [@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). :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > 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. :dubious: > [@Yllaria](#): > > 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. :dubious: > [@dropzone](#): > > Or a gun dealer. They sell things other than guns ‘n’ ammo, like gun safes and trigger locks, and at an appropriate profit. :dubious: > [@Mtgman](#): > > Not necessarially. Legal requirements aren’t the only type of coercion on our healthcare providers. …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. :dubious: > [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > 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. Sorry I missed the previous thread. I was just irritated because of the tone. > [@Simplicio](#): > > 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. Free bicycle helmets? > [@](#): > > 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. You seriously think that is my complaint here? :smack: > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > As for US child pool deaths, the numbers are just plain less. Umm, the number of homes with pools is just plain a whole shitload less. > **[Op-ed piece on swimming pools vs. guns as the most dangerous weapon |...](https://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2001/07/27/levittpoolsvsguns)** > > by Steven D. Levitt, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago > \[Editor's note: A version of this piece was published in the Chicago Sun-Times on July 28, 2001 under the title "Pools more dangerous than guns." \] > What's more dangerous: a swimming... [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ps0waR0LBpo/maxresdefault.jpg "Swimming Pools Vs. Guns: DVD Bonus") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps0waR0LBpo) > [@](#): > > So pediatricians should discourage having guns in the house, and encourage swimming lessons. They only seem to ask questions about one thing and not the other. > [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > Wait. > > I’m supposed to mad because your pediatrician is looking out for the well-being of your child? > > Ooookay :rolleyes: If they’re looking out for the well being of my child then why haven’t they asked me about a pool? > [@DoctorJ](#): > > Let’s say half a doctor’s patients own guns, and 95% of those who do are perfectly aware and compliant when it comes to gun safety. That means a pediatrician who sees 40 kids a day is sending one kid home every day to a potentially unsecured gun. 5% of 40 is 2. And if she doesn’t ask about pools then she is sending home all her patients who own pools to potential watery death. > [@](#): > > Some are well-meaning and just honestly never thought about it. Who is going to talk to them about gun safety if not the pediatrician? If I had my way people would have to take a gun safety class before they could own a gun, but until I’m in charge they’ll sell one to pretty much anybody. I don’t have a problem with a licensing procedure. I’ve taken a lot of classes on gun safety to get my CCW and frankly I think everyone should be taking those classes if they own a gun. ---
**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 22, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/33 "2013-03-22T04:04:30Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was all set to pile on and defend the doctor for a simple question that might be important. For an opposing view, there’s [this](http://http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2013/01/22/why-doctors-should-not-ask-their-patients-about-guns/). > [@L. G. Butts](#): > > Good article, good points raised, but the pitting is still lame. That article pretty much hits the spot. If you don’t want to see how they relate then I suppose thats really up to you. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/34 "2013-03-22T04:06:27Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > 5% of 40 is 2. And if she doesn’t ask about pools then she is sending home all her patients who own pools to potential watery death. Not sure what all the emoticons in that post are about, but note that \*\*DoctorJ \*\*was supposing that \*half \*of the kids seen in a day come from homes with guns. And 5% of 20 is indeed 1. just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/35 "2013-03-22T04:27:16Z")
And this is how you know that the anti-gunners are just as crazy as the gun nuts. There is no way that, if this wasn’t about guns, you wouldn’t be upset about your privacy and how important it is. We’ve had Pit threads about doctors asking you about your weight, of all things, something a doctor at least has some legitimate issue to deal with, since it’s at least illness related. A doctor’s job is health, not safety. They have no legitimate reason to be asking about people having guns any more than they do about whether you’ve properly grounded your electronics or, yes, have a fucking pool. The only reason to bring it up is because they are anti-gun. And doctors own their own practices. Even if that particular doctor is not in charge, another doctor is. There are no requirements to hassle their customers that that are not legal ones. And, yes, you should make a big deal about it. That’s the only way things change. If, as you posit, the doctor just doesn’t realize that what’s he’s doing is beyond his job description and pissing a section of their customers off, then people need to complain. There’s this thing you guys seem to not get. A doctor works for you. You can fire them if they do not do the job you paid them for. And I for one do not pay my doctor to question my competence in parenting my children. It’s fucking rude, and such rudeness actually discourages people from coming to see you. I’m sure the OP is smart enough to just find another doctor, but a lot of people will just assume all doctors are like this and just avoid them. I’ve seen it a lot. That’s why bedside manner is one of the most important things a doctor can learn. It probably saves more lives than anything else he does. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/36 "2013-03-22T04:50:53Z")
**BigT** , your post is so full of wrong that they’re experiencing a critical shortage at the Wrong Factory. Yes, health is related to safety, yes it is your doctor’s job (particularly a pediatrician’s) to ask safety questions of parents, legal requirements are in fact exactly what people are talking about, and no, bedside manner does not save more lives than, say, heart surgery. Or antibiotics. I think this is a dumb thing to get worked up about. If you’re not the kind of moron that needs a reminder from your kid’s doctor to keep your gun locked away from your kid, then shrug it off and move on. I have a friend who has a habit of leaving his handgun around on the coffee table at his place. I have been over there and seen it. He now has a toddler who is learning to walk. I hope he’s learned to put his fucking gun away properly, but he’s kind of a moron so there’s a good chance he hasn’t. Now, maybe his pediatrician asking him, “Hey, did you lock your gun up?” won’t do any good, but then again maybe it will, and it’s not like your pediatrician is going on some big anti-gun rant; he’s just asking you a simple fucking question, so maybe people could learn to chill out and stop being so goddamn sensitive all the time. In my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/37 "2013-03-22T05:04:22Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > That article pretty much hits the spot. If you don’t want to see how they relate then I suppose thats really up to you. I thought it was a good article and said so, it’s still a weak pitting. Whatever, vote with your wallet and find a new doctor. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/38 "2013-03-22T08:36:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > A doctor’s job is health, not safety. They have no legitimate reason to be asking about people having guns any more than they do about whether you’ve properly grounded your electronics or, yes, have a fucking pool. The only reason to bring it up is because they are anti-gun. You’re an idiot. Of course doctors are concerned about safety. It’s how emergency room visits are prevented, fatal car accidents are minimized, and drownings are lessened, because physicians have a direct interest in your child’s health and safety. It’s why they encourage you to put your child in a car seat, teach them how to swim and put alarms on the pool gates, and cover your electrical outlets. > [@](#): > > And doctors own their own practices. Even if that particular doctor is not in charge, another doctor is. There are no requirements to hassle their customers that that are not legal ones. Asking whether or not a parent is appropriately storing their weapons is no different than asking if all the ingestible poisons are kept in a cabinet with a childproof latch on it. It’s not a fucking hassle. > [@](#): > > There’s this thing you guys seem to not get. A doctor works for you. You can fire them if they do not do the job you paid them for. And I for one do not pay my doctor to question my competence in parenting my children. It’s fucking rude, and such rudeness actually discourages people from coming to see you. I’m sure the OP is smart enough to just find another doctor, but a lot of people will just assume all doctors are like this and just avoid them. Question your competence? Honey, based on your posts I should _hope_ someone would question your competence, and I thank the lord I don’t believe in that you’re not a parent. It’s a pediatrician’s job to help educate parents on potential risks their children are exposed to both inside the home and outside. Not everyone is intuitively aware of them all, which is why a professional is obligated out of concern for his patient (which, by the way, is the child, not you). > [@](#): > > I’ve seen it a lot. That’s why bedside manner is one of the most important things a doctor can learn. It probably saves more lives than anything else he does. Actually, I would say professional competence saves more lives than bedside manner. If you’re really so sensitive about being asked by a person who has an interest in your child’s health and safety whether or not you’re following safety protocols _that are endorsed and encouraged by the fucking NRA_, you seem like the type of person who is too sensitive to own a gun. Grow the fuck up. And shut up, **BigTard**. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/39 "2013-03-22T10:09:19Z")
I sure wish gun owners had the capacity to nut up. They can’t even be asked about guns and gun storage without going into a tizzy. “Oh! I do declare! That man asked me if I own guns! He asked me if I use good safety practices! The brute!” ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/40 "2013-03-22T11:04:18Z")
The doctor seems less anti-gun than anti-having to treat kids with easily preventable gunshot wounds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578.md?page=3)