I think what Elvis is pointing out is there are pros and cons in everything.

Personally, I disagree very strongly about the Dr asking the question in #16 and also the obvious coercion in #17.

I think if they make #16 law, then firearms owners need to be very carefully about how they answer the question. I would suggest a one word answer, either YES or NO depending how much of a chance you want to take, and hopefully your Dr isn't an ANTI.

I also agree with what Elvis says about the "driver of the school bus". I certainly would not want a nutcase in control of a bus on which my kids were travelling. But again, there are pros and cons which we could argue all day and night without agreeing fully.

If someone is an obvious nut case or nutbag, then I believe the Dr has a duty to pass on only the necessary info to get the message across. I DO NOT believe the Dr has the right to ask about firearms in the house of anybody, possibly other than those that are obviously and definitely threatening the well being of others.

As Elvis says...it all comes down the "The Line" and where it needs to be drawn.

Like NZ, firearms ownership in Australia is a privilege and not a right...they can take our firearms off us with the stroke of a pen...as "JACK BOOT JOHNNY" Howard showed back in 1996.

The problem arises more from them asking your kids about firearms in the home.
Doctor-"Do you ever see guns in your home?"
Junior-"Yes Daddy has one he carries around in a holster."
An anti-gun doctor might be looking to have your guns removed for junior's safety.
When my children were young, they never saw a doctor without my wife or I present and I would not allow any doctor to question them in regards to anything other than the immediate medical concerns.

I don't think doctors have the time or desire to be unpaid informants for the feds.

It's all in the search for a stick to beat the dog...
we also have to ask our doctor to sign a paper that we are mentally and physically capable to shoot a handgun or rifle. But that statement only counts for the moment he's signing that paper, afterwards you can go nuts without anyone can blame him for it.
Administrations just like lots of paperwork, someone else to blame and when necessairy smoke to hide their own mistakes...

Aloysius wrote:

It's all in the search for a stick to beat the dog... we also have to ask our doctor to sign a paper that we are mentally and physically capable to shoot a handgun or rifle. But that statement only counts for the moment he's signing that paper, afterwards you can go nuts without anyone can blame him for it. Administrations just like lots of paperwork, someone else to blame and when necessairy smoke to hide their own mistakes...

Sage words Aloys...very true indeed mate.

You know....isn't that an interesting thing....like on your drivers licence and such during the application process they actually ask you if you've been institutionalized or have a history of mental health. Why in the world would you answer it the wrong way and nick yourself from getting the licence? Have you ever been convicted of a felon? been in prison? killed your family? poisoned cats? raped your neighbor? tripped on your shoelaces, landed on your face and blamed it on someone else? (no that's a trick question)

Ok yes I admit, I'm a murdering, thieving, raping, dog kicking car crasher with a police record a mile long (do they say a kilometer long in Au?) could I please have a drivers licence? I'll be good! I won't do it again! Do they only investigate if you say the wrong thing? My mother never taught me to lie but I'm gettin the message that I was left for the coyotes because of it. Tax time is in April!! I gotta go talk to my mom.....

Suzanne wrote:

You know....isn't that an interesting thing....like on your drivers licence and such during the application process they actually ask you if you've been institutionalized or have a history of mental health. Why in the world would you answer it the wrong way and nick yourself from getting the licence? Have you ever been convicted of a felon? been in prison? killed your family? poisoned cats? raped your neighbor? tripped on your shoelaces, landed on your face and blamed it on someone else? (no that's a trick question) Ok yes I admit, I'm a murdering, thieving, raping, dog kicking car crasher with a police record a mile long (do they say a kilometer long in Au?) could I please have a drivers licence? I'll be good! I won't do it again! Do they only investigate if you say the wrong thing? My mother never taught me to lie but I'm gettin the message that I was left for the coyotes because of it. Tax time is in April!! I gotta go talk to my mom.....

LOL Suz, reminds me of the time I first got hired in Law Enforcement. I was taking the polygraph and the examiner asked me "Have you ever had un-natural sex with a animal?" I responded with a straight face, " Define un-natural." Polygraph examiners have NO sense of humor.

neither do doctors.... when I went in for the "snip" the doctor jammed i the needle to anethiestitise the area.."does this make me a numbnuts??" got no response.
hemeroids are just a bloody pain in the but... got no chuckle either

Elvis wrote:

neither do doctors.... when I went in for the "snip" the doctor jammed i the needle to anethiestitise the area.."does this make me a numbnuts??" got no response. hemeroids are just a bloody pain in the but... got no chuckle either

Donut Slayer wrote:

reminds me of the time I first got hired in Law Enforcement. I was taking the polygraph and the examiner asked me "Have you ever had un-natural sex with a animal?" I responded with a straight face, " Define un-natural." Polygraph examiners have NO sense of humor.

Is there is such a thing as natural sex with an animal? Never mind, I don't want to know.

I was thinking that the best answer we can give a doctor in regards to guns in the home is no answer. I don't believe we are compelled by that order to answer it. Just tell them I'd rather not respond to that, or I feel uncomfortable discussing that with you. Do we now need to take a lawyer with us to the doctor?

Just answer, "GUNS? In MY home? You have to be kidding, right?

That way there is no lie and it leaves an impression that you are as left as they come....
ok, it might qualify as a lie but it is not an overt lie.

Doc: "Do you have firearms in your home"?

Patient: "How often do you have sex with your wife"?

Doc: "That's none of your damn' business"

Patient: "My point exactly"