Everyone has an answer

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

The problem: we have violent crime in the US and in some of it the perpetrators use guns.

Politicians: we need more laws...
Doctors: we need to treat it like a disease...
Law enforcement: we need more cops...
NRA: you all need your own guns to defend yourself...
Bureaucrats: we need funding to study the problem(s)...


Every group has their own type of hammer with which to bang whatever is their own idea of the nail and when all you have is hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.

IMHO, there's a lot of tunnel vision going on here.

[SevenSixtyTwo]

1. I can only speak for myself.

If the day comes I hear someone breaking in our house late at night, I want the right to defend myself and my wife until the cops show up several minutes later to make a report.

[Jgarrick]

2. When your life is on the line and every second counts, the police are only minutes away.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. I hear you

[ileus]

3. I like being the first line of defense for myself and my family.

I want to maintain that ability....always, everywhere.

Bad thing is my kids are often in areas where they're easy targets...not much I can do since I think homeschooling is useless. If only schools took safety as serious as I do.


My DW on the other hand does carry her own personal safety device, for those times we are apart.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

7. Self-reliance is a good thing

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. I don't think that's an accurate representation of the stance of doctors.

'Public health' doesn't simply deal with disease. And asking if a firearm is in the house with a child or someone with suicidal ideation is simply a matter of more accurately assessing the overall level of dangers in the house. Good data = accurate assessment in line with statistics. Bad data = underestimation of danger.

[Bazinga]

5. Or (more likely) overestimation of danger. See Kellermann, Arthur. nt

[SevenSixtyTwo]

8. MasterCard

Knows of every firearm I've purchased over the years. I don't see the harm in telling my doctor. Or not telling him. I told him we had firearms so as to not prescribe any mind altering drugs. He's not making judgment or adding to a registry. If you're concerned about you insurance provider, no is an acceptable answer.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

9. Re: 'Public health'

Firearm safety can be addressed by passing on information and asking if the family has any questions.
At least one in four homes has a gun in it. Unless your child never visits neighbors, friends, etc the dangers are there; asking about it isn't out of line but failing to accept ANY respectful response is less than professional.

IMHO, doctors with genuine concerns of overall family health and environment should also address with parents how to make their own safety assessments for a variety conditions, factors and situations. This is a balanced approach and thoughtful one.