# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/61 "2013-03-22T21:06:11Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > My issue with this is that I get, at most, 7 minutes with the physician. I have a lot to cover in those 7 minutes that we had to book months ago. Now we are going to spend time on this. If I answer “yes” then I will probably lose a full minute, minute and a half. > > I want to talk about the rash, symptoms, growth chart, nutrition, expectations, immunizations, etc. > > Now, I just say “no.” Saves us all a lot of time. > > If I had unlimited time with the doctor, it would be fine. This. A thousand times this. When my pediatrician asked the question I was caught off guard and answered “Yes”. Big mistake. She was so surprised by the honesty of my answer she actually stammered a bit and had to think of what to say next. It completely derailed the meeting and wasted a lot of valuable time. Next time I get asked it will be a simple “No”. It’s none of their business anyway. My understanding is the question gets asked because the organization of pediatricians (whatever it’s called) is very anti-gun and pushes for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/62 "2013-03-22T21:09:11Z")
I’m not offended either, we pulled my sister out of an abusive relationship, I’m glad they are asking. If even one person gets helped into a safe situation, it worth me answering the question. Likewise, when we were asked about guns in the home, making our kids wear helmets on bikes, keeping them in carseats, how much soda they drink. and talking to them about drugs and sex. It’s an opportunity for parents who aren’t informed to become informed. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/63 "2013-03-22T23:08:32Z")
I lie to doctors about a few things. No need to get a lecture about something that I’m not going to change anyway. For example, I tell them I recently had a pap smear somewhere else (my current doctor’s office will NOT let that go though, they’re pap smear nazis. They call me up bugging me to make an appointment and when I lie that I’ll check my schedule and make an appointment later, they still urge me to do it right then, and when I say I already had one they ask where so they can get the records and when I say I don’t remember, they try to jog my memory…just leave me alone!). I’m glad to hear that pediatricians ask about guns in the home though. I don’t remember if my daughter’s did or not because I don’t have one, so it would be a nonissue. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/64 "2013-03-22T23:17:59Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Mine asks if my husband beats me. (The question is “do you feel safe in your home”.) > > Do men get asked that, or is it just women? I have been asked similar questions. I’m due to start up with a new physician soon; I’ll take notes on what they ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/65 "2013-03-22T23:24:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Have to? If they are legally required to, then they have to. Otherwise, they are doing it because they want to. Or their attorney or insurance company told them to, arguably more persuasive than statutes. ---
**Author:** ![EverwonderWhy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EverwonderWhy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EverwonderWhy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/66 "2013-03-22T23:25:16Z")
+3 on getting asked if “I feel safe in my home” during my annuals. I definitely think safety (and patient education) is part of healthcare. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/67 "2013-03-22T23:51:29Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > (snip) I wasn’t offended or anything. I was mostly just sad that that’s the world we live in these days. A world where someone gives a rat’s ass if a woman is being beaten? ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/68 "2013-03-23T02:12:04Z")
Since the Newtown shootings, New York Times columnist Joe Nocera has been publishing a daily item in his blog that lists a sampling of gun violence incidents reported in the media from around the country the prior day. One of the sickening things is that it seems like every few days he lists an incident where a pre-schooler shoots and injures or kills himself with an unsecured handgun. Here are the incidents of three- and four-year olds shooting themselves that he lists for the past two weeks, from among the reports of senseless violence (and not infrequent incidents of defensive firearm use) in his daily reports: [The Gun Report: March 21, 2013](http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/the-gun-report-march-21-2013/) > [@](#): > > A Pine Hills, Fla., boy suffered a gunshot wound to his face in an accidental shooting. Detectives said the 4-year-old was handling the gun when he shot himself Wednesday morning inside a unit in the Los Robles condos. The child’s 16-year-old aunt, who was watching the boy while his mother was at work, told investigators she found the boy bleeding in a bedroom. The boy is expected to survive and was listed in critical but stable condition. There is no word on whether charges will be filed.—[Orlando Sentinel](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-child-shot-head-pine-hills-20130320,0,2045344.story) [The Gun Report: March 15, 2013](http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/the-gun-report-march-15-2013/) > [@](#): > > A 4-year-old child was accidentally shot in Apex, N.C., Thursday afternoon. The boy and his three-year-old brother were playing in the car when they opened the glove compartment and discovered a handgun. The gun discharged and he was shot in the leg. Both the gun and car belonged to their older sister’s boyfriend, neighbors said. His injuries are non-life threatening. – [WTVD](http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9027762) [The Gun Report: March 14, 2013](http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/the-gun-report-march-14-2013/) > [@](#): > > A 3-year-old boy is expected to fully recover from a gunshot wound to his knee in a shooting that has left local authorities perplexed. The child was standing in front of his house in Bradenton, Fla., Monday night when five adults inside heard a gunshot and found the child lying on the ground. A handgun was located next to the boy, and police believe the injury was self-inflicted.— [Bradenton Herald](http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/12/4433059/bradenton-boy-3-expected-to-recover.html) [The Gun Report: March 11, 2013](http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/the-gun-report-march-11-2013/) > [@](#): > > A 3-year-old toddler accidentally shot himself in the head with a relative’s gun, but was listed in stable condition at a Nashville, Tenn., hospital. The child, who has not been identified, was at home with his mother and his aunt when his aunt pulled out a gun. The toddler got a hold of the weapon and shot himself. — [Associated Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/mar/10/manchester-toddler-recovering-after-shooting/) [The Gun Report: March 9, 2013](http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/the-gun-report-march-9-2013/) > [@](#): > > Michael Easter, a 3-year-old boy in Liberty Township, Mich., died after he accidentally shot himself in the head while alone in his parents’ bedroom. Police are unsure how the boy gained access to the gun. Michael was home with his mother and two sisters at the time. An investigation is ongoing. — [Michigan Live](http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2013/03/3-year-old_accidentally_shot_h.html) Undoubtedly the plural of anecdotes is not data, but when there is a published report of a toddler shooting himself every two or three days – not counting the numerous situations where small children are killed or wounded when teenagers or adults in the household use a firearm – it indicates at the very least that gun safety around children is a legitimate concern. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/69 "2013-03-23T02:36:20Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Mine asks if my husband beats me. (The question is “do you feel safe in your home”.) > > Do men get asked that, or is it just women? Is it all women, or a particular vibe you’re putting out?:dubious: Sorry.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/70 "2013-03-23T02:40:41Z")
Two stories [here](http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2017752432_shooting15m.html) of children who were killed after their genius parents left them alone in cars with loaded guns. One of them was a police officer! ---
**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 23, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/71 "2013-03-23T03:02:27Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I bruise easily, so I usually have many large bruises of various ages on my body. I have never been asked that. Well, you being you, they probably aren’t surprised somebody is beating you. Maybe they want to help next time. I keed! But you’ve been here long enough to know you shouldn’t leave an obvious straight line like that hanging. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/72 "2013-03-23T10:46:17Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > A world where someone gives a rat’s ass if a woman is being beaten? Yes. That’s obviously and clearly exactly what I meant by that, and kudos for you for exposing my horrible shameful secret opinion. Jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/73 "2013-03-23T10:59:05Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t think you realize how dumb people are on the average. And I don’t think you realize how many dumb gun owners there are. It’s an easy thing to not realise since in my experience dumb gun owners who don’t take appropriate precautions only exist in the third person. You could talk to a thousand gun owners and 100% of them would agree that 50% of gun owners other than themselves are irresponsible. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/74 "2013-03-23T12:39:15Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Yes. That’s obviously and clearly exactly what I meant by that, and kudos for you for exposing my horrible shameful secret opinion. > > Jackass. Hey, it just seemed like either that’s what you meant, or you were getting all moist and quivery for the idyllic days of the past when no women were ever beaten. We got guys around here like that, I don’t know if you’re one of them or not. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/75 "2013-03-23T13:02:54Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > It’s none of their business anyway. My understanding is the question gets asked because the organization of pediatricians (whatever it’s called) is very anti-gun and pushes for it. Is this true, or is an organization “anti-gun” just because the NRA says so? Meaning, do you have any evidence of the American Academy of Pediatrics being anti-gun? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/76 "2013-03-23T13:03:00Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > My understanding is the question gets asked because the organization of pediatricians (whatever it’s called) is very anti-gun and pushes for it. Can I use “Debaser’s understanding” as a cite now? If I’m pushed for a cite on the number of civilians killed in drone attacks, can I just say “Well, it’s Debaser’s understanding that it is 2,324?” Or if I pull some conclusion out of my ass, can I just say “well, it’s Debaser’s understanding”? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/77 "2013-03-23T13:07:08Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Is this true, or is an organization “anti-gun” just because the NRA says so? Meaning, do you have any evidence of the American Academy of Pediatrics being anti-gun? [NPR just did a piece about how varied physician’s opinions are about guns.](http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/21/174851371/colorado-doctors-treating-gunshot-victims-differ-on-gun-politics) ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/78 "2013-03-23T13:17:14Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > If your doctor won’t take as much time as necessary to sit with you and answer all your questions and address all your concerns, you need to find another doctor. This was my first thought also. The notion that you get a 7-minute appointment with your ped once a year is crazy - you need a new one. I think my kids get at least 20 minutes, usually 30, for their annual and have since they were born. It never would’ve occurred to me to be a seemingly-basic safety related question, regardless of how much of a gimme the answer is. When both my kids were babies, their pediatrician asked me if I drank hot beverages. Clearly, she was telling me that coffee was unsafe and that I shouldn’t drink it. Maybe she even meant that I was fat and should lose weight because everyone knows that people put fattening things in their coffee. That bitch! How dare she try to press her anti-coffee, fat-hater views on me under the guise of ensuring that my kids didn’t scald themselves by pulling boiling hot things down on their heads. Seriously, it’s a simple question. Is there something you own or do that could pose significant danger to your kid and are you aware of how to mitigate the danger? Some things just don’t occur to some people, no matter how much of a “duh” you think they are. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/79 "2013-03-23T13:37:02Z")
I’m still trying to figure out the process here: 1. Pediatrician delivers pamphlet on basic, widely agreed, NRA-approved gun safety. 2. Something… 3. Jackbooted thugs Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578/80 "2013-03-23T13:40:44Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out the process here: > > 1. Pediatrician delivers pamphlet on basic, widely agreed, NRA-approved gun safety. > 2. Something… > 3. Jackbooted thugs > > Anyone? Maybe something with stealing underpants? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-anti-gun-pediatricians/653578.md?page=5)