I thought this was done and over with, guess not.

I think doctors should ask about guns like they ask about who I voted for in the last election, and what movies I watch, and what books I read...that is to say, none of your damn business doc!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/11 ... n=20121127

Xela

I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

Xela wrote:I thought this was done and over with, guess not.

I think doctors should ask about guns like they ask about who I voted for in the last election, and what movies I watch, and what books I read...that is to say, none of your damn business doc!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/11 ... n=20121127

Xela

Hmm. This one's dicey for me. The only time I could see it being appropriate is if the patient was either suicidal or if they were exhibiting signs of a mental disease that could lead to harm to others or potentially suicide..... I totally disagree with the whole "small children at home argument" as it's none of their business, but for some mental conditions, I "might" see it a bit differently.

I'm with UV. Pretty sure that my doc hunts, but I've never asked her.

Ultravox wrote:I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

I've never had a doctor asked me about how hot the water from the faucet/shower is, or whether the stove/grill is high enough for children to climb. Or whether I have a pool and does it have a child proof fence.

I guess I take a somewhat opposite view. I would find it acceptable if the doctor opened with a prepared statement that mentions something about children and firearm safety, "oh, you don't have any kids? Then never mind."

"Oh, you DO have kids AND have firearms? Then let me offer your some firearm safety brochures from the Liberal Gun Club, NRA...whatever..."

On the other hand, if the questions are about the patient's mental well being, well start from there. And slowly go towards being inquisitive about firearm ownership if signs of concerns come up (depression, or similar).

Xela

I've never been asked.

If I am, I'll tell him/her it's none of their business.

I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

See, now THAT I can live with

Unless one goes to the range like so:


Xela

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

my daughter's pediatrician brought this up with us, but once I told her that I shower and change clothes after a range trip and don't reload, she didn't carry care any more. her only concern was clearly lead exposure to the kiddo.

if i was asked without any apparent medical context, i'd be tempted to decline to answer and then see where it went.

while i'm not for having to share information i don't want to share, i can't really think of a reasonable argument to ban doctor's from asking a question that some may find uncomfortable

Ara wrote:

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

my daughter's pediatrician brought this up with us, but once I told her that I shower and change clothes after a range trip and don't reload, she didn't carry any more. her only concern was clearly lead exposure to the kiddo.

if i was asked without any apparent medical context, i'd be tempted to decline to answer and then see where it went.

while i'm not for having to share information i don't want to share, i can't really think of a reasonable argument to ban doctor's from asking a question that some may find uncomfortable

The American Academy of Pediatrics are no friends of gun owners:
http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/ ... ocal+token

"... the AAP supports the strongest-possible legislative and regulatory approaches to reduce the accessibility of guns to children and adolescents:
...

Restoration of the ban on the sale of assault weapons to the general public"

Xela

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

Never occurred to me, really appreciate this useful information!
I mainly shoot jacketed ammunition and do not reload, but I’m sure that there is stuff going through the air that folks should be concerned with.

Thanks!

Xela wrote:
"... the AAP supports the strongest-possible legislative and regulatory approaches to reduce the accessibility of guns to children and adolescents:
...

Restoration of the ban on the sale of assault weapons to the general public"

Xela

that's as may be, but i'm not really worried about them spending their lower-than-some-other-organization's political capital to bring that ban, or others, about

meanwhile they do support other things i agree with, like the pre emptive issuing of morning after style birth control prescriptions to increase access and availability

but this feels off topic...

my basic point was that i don't mind if docs ask, but i may not answer.... the anecdote was just to point out that the asking may not actually be pernicious

Ara wrote:

Xela wrote:
"... the AAP supports the strongest-possible legislative and regulatory approaches to reduce the accessibility of guns to children and adolescents:
...

Restoration of the ban on the sale of assault weapons to the general public"

Xela

that's as may be, but i'm not really worried about them spending their lower-than-some-other-organization's political capital to bring that ban, or others, about

meanwhile they do support other things i agree with, like the pre emptive issuing of morning after style birth control prescriptions to increase access and availability

but this feels off topic...

my basic point was that i don't mind if docs ask, but i may not answer.... the anecdote was just to point out that the asking may not actually be pernicious

Gotcha.

Xela

dogie wrote:

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

Never occurred to me, really appreciate this useful information!
I mainly shoot jacketed ammunition and do not reload, but I’m sure that there is stuff going through the air that folks should be concerned with.

Thanks!

+1 on this- hadn't even really thought about it since I'm not reloading at the moment, but a really good heads up for all of us, thanks Fukshot!

Xela wrote:

Ultravox wrote:I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

I've never had a doctor asked me about how hot the water from the faucet/shower is, or whether the stove/grill is high enough for children to climb. Or whether I have a pool and does it have a child proof fence.

I guess I take a somewhat opposite view. I would find it acceptable if the doctor opened with a prepared statement that mentions something about children and firearm safety, "oh, you don't have any kids? Then never mind."

"Oh, you DO have kids AND have firearms? Then let me offer your some firearm safety brochures from the Liberal Gun Club, NRA...whatever..."

On the other hand, if the questions are about the patient's mental well being, well start from there. And slowly go towards being inquisitive about firearm ownership if signs of concerns come up (depression, or similar).

Xela

Completely agreed with you Xela- if they lead with the gun ownership then somethings way out of wack- probably wouldn't be back to see that particular psycho! But yeah, if there are questions, it could naturally lead to those types of questions, which I certainly wouldn't be opposed to.

Xela wrote:

Ultravox wrote:I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

I've never had a doctor asked me about how hot the water from the faucet/shower is, or whether the stove/grill is high enough for children to climb. Or whether I have a pool and does it have a child proof fence.

Our pediatrician covered turning down the hot water heater, pools, pets, guns, and lots of other things. Just saying.

I agree with the rest of your statement though. Its context and concern specific. If my doctor asked my about how frequently I masturbated while I was there for a flu shot, then I would be concerned. But when he asks me about it because of my bulging right arm and a recent bout of tendinitis in my right elbow, it makes more sense.

If you are ok with context specific questions, I don't see anything here to justify getting worked up about - no official from any medical community is quoted as saying they want to ask a single adult with no children about their guns just cuz the doc doesn't like them.

Ultravox wrote:I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

I've been asked this at my last couple of physicals. The follow-up question was about storage. I keep all my guns unloaded and locked up pretty much all the time, and said that. IIRC, that was the end of the subject, so I concluded that they were primarily concerned with the accidental discharge problem.

Given that mild and unexplained dizziness/vertigo has been an issue for a few years, I'm surprised that they didn't do a blood test for lead, at least that I remember. However, the worst symptoms and my last exam was before I returned to shooting this year, so it's not likely to be the explanation anyway. I'll mention it at my next exam, though.

dogie wrote:

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

Never occurred to me, really appreciate this useful information!
I mainly shoot jacketed ammunition and do not reload, but I’m sure that there is stuff going through the air that folks should be concerned with.

Thanks!

I find that I'm much more accurate if I lick each bullet before I put it in the magazine. Would this be a problem?

inmediasres wrote:
I find that I'm much more accurate if I lick each bullet before I put it in the magazine. Would this be a problem?

Nope. You're good. Don't worry about it, but this works better than spit:

http://www.astroglide.com/home.aspx

mark wrote:

Xela wrote:

Ultravox wrote:I've never had a doctor ask me this question...

And if I did, I'd probably answer honestly and see where it went from there...

I've never had a doctor asked me about how hot the water from the faucet/shower is, or whether the stove/grill is high enough for children to climb. Or whether I have a pool and does it have a child proof fence.

Our pediatrician covered turning down the hot water heater, pools, pets, guns, and lots of other things. Just saying.

I agree with the rest of your statement though. Its context and concern specific. If my doctor asked my about how frequently I masturbated while I was there for a flu shot, then I would be concerned. But when he asks me about it because of my bulging right arm and a recent bout of tendinitis in my right elbow, it makes more sense.

If you are ok with context specific questions, I don't see anything here to justify getting worked up about - no official from any medical community is quoted as saying they want to ask a single adult with no children about their guns just cuz the doc doesn't like them.

That has been my experience as well. We get a pre-visit questionnaire that asks about guns, pools, hot water, carbon monoxide detectors, etc... I answer honestly. Yes I have firearms in the house, no the children have no access to them whatsoever.

Now about that bulging right arm and tendinitis....

Fukshot wrote:I have asked my doctor to add periodic lead level testing to my various regular bloodwork. I reload and I shoot lots of cast bullets. It's something all folks who shoot a lot should do.

Cast or jacketed, the greatest source of lead exposure for shooters is primers and the stuff settles on our skin and in our hair. If you have been to the range and then gone to bed without taking a shower, that lead has likely gone from your hair to your pillow to your mouth as you slept.

Shooters have special health concerns and doctors should ask about these things. That's not what the issue raised by the article is, but it is actually an important issue that is ignored by physicians and shooters alike.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t883-lead- ... this-sport

Please tell me I don't have to re-enact the shower scene from Silkwood every time I go shooting. I'm kinda lazy.

Earthtrek wrote: Please tell me I don't have to re-enact the shower scene from Silkwood every time I go shooting. I'm kinda lazy.

This really concerns folks who are shooting several hundred rounds a week. It is more of an issue for folks shooting indoors.

I use D-Lead hand wipes after shooting and take a shower before bed on days I go to the range. I'm doing just fine.

Fukshot, those of us who read some of your posts may beg to differ!

AmirMortal wrote:Fukshot, those of us who read some of your posts may beg to differ!

Ok, but it isn't lead.

Fukshot wrote:I use D-Lead hand wipes after shooting and take a shower before bed on days I go to the range. I'm doing just fine.

Thanks for the heads-up on the D-Lead hand wipes. Didn't know about them. Those wouldn't be bad to take hunting, either. I always pick up my empty shells, plus everyone else's empties, and had wondered about getting lead on my hands.