Physicians have tremendous moral authority on this issue. If a physician says, 'Hey, I'm worried about the fact that you have an unsecured and loaded gun in the house,' patients listen. If a doctor says, 'If you think it's important to have a gun, then let's talk about storing and securing it,' patients listen. Simply by sitting down to talk about this issue for a few minutes during an office visit, physicians have the power to save lives. If you feel uneasy about bringing up the issue of guns, you're not alone.
Many physicians are reluctant to start the discussion.
But studies show that treating gun safety as a preventable cause of injury and death can go a long way toward lowering patients' risks. Here's how to begin the conversation. Ask about Gun Ownership Talking to patients about guns and gun ownership should be as much a part of routine preventive health screening as are questions about nutrition and exercise. Indeed, bringing the subject up in the context of other preventive health issues can help disarm this sometimes-polarizing issue and help keep the focus on issues of health and safety. Talk over the risks and benefits.