Fla. to Ban Doctors From Asking About Guns

'Docs vs Glocks' bill passes state senate
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2011 8:54 AM CDT
Fla. to Ban Doctors From Asking About Guns
Glendale, UNITED STATES: A man chooses a gun at the Gun Gallery in Glendale, California, 18 April 2007. The massacre at Virginia Tech has ignited fresh talk in the Democratic-led US Congress about tightening US gun laws but it is doubtful enough lawmakers will tackle the politically charged issue. With...   (Getty Images)

Doctors in Florida will be restricted from asking patients about gun ownership under a bill headed for Gov. Rick Scott's desk. The so-called "Docs versus Glocks" bill passed by the state Senate yesterday was introduced after a woman complained that her pediatrician told her to find another doctor when she refused to answer a question about guns in her home. Doctors will no longer be allowed to ask the question as part of a routine medical survey, reports Reuters.

Critics say doctors need to talk about gun safety—especially to the parents of young children—and liken it to asking parents if they have a fence around their pool. That argument was rejected by the Republican who sponsored the bill. "I don’t believe it says in the Constitution that you have the right to own a pool,” he said. “This is about protecting and affirming our Second Amendment rights.” Florida's Senate has also passed a bill banning local governments from passing stricter gun laws than the state. (More gun control stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X