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January 19th, 2011
11:00 AM ET

Video: Doctor-gun bill is 'horrendous,' M.D. says
Filed under: 360º Follow
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. Bryan L. Dale

    There may not be anything wrong with doctors teaching gun safety, however, it's a whole other matter to ask their patients if there's a firearm in their house... it's none of their business, and it could lead to records being kept of gun ownership, parent abuse allegations etc.

    January 20, 2011 at 2:26 am |
  2. Bill

    I am a criminal defense attorney in Washington state. I read the Florida bill, no. 155, very carefully. In my opinion, and I am sure most attorneys would agree with me, the bill does not criminalize or provide for a penalty for the doctor making an inquiry about guns in the home. The only sanctioned conduct is conditioning the provision of care based upon failure to disclose the information requested. The bill merely declares that such an inquiry violates the patient's privacy. However, it does not provide a penalty for that violation. No judge that I ever met would broaden the scope of the bill to cover a simple violation of privacy. It might give rise to a civil action, but criminal conviction, never.

    January 20, 2011 at 2:25 am |
  3. Liz

    Anderson – there is a difference between a doctor talking to their patients about gun safety, and actually ASKING them if they have a gun. A doctor can talk to anyone about gun safety. They don't have to ASK about gun ownership before they do.
    It seems to me that you are equating the two in all of your conclusions and discussions about this issue. They are, in fact, two different things.

    January 19, 2011 at 11:28 pm |
  4. Graham

    I just saw this segment about "medical personnel" asking about firearms in the home. What about "medical personnel" first responders (police, fire, or EMS)?

    With the vague wording of this bill, what's to stop a lawyer from charging a first responder? Who might be in a home, around a home; responding to a gun shot call, or "shots being fired"?

    The writers of the bill may have ONE intent in mind with regards to this bill, however, the vagueness of the bill, wording, meaning, audience; potentially puts at risk those that are called to help, or save a life... What about them?

    January 19, 2011 at 10:38 pm |
  5. Barbara

    How are your remarks regarding "Nazi" statement making an already tense situation better? You seem to be fanning the flames. You;re a better journalist than that.

    Ultra Conservtive in NC

    January 19, 2011 at 10:34 pm |
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