What could be more important than children having the fullest possible chance to be safe?

Posted on 07/25/2011 @ 01:11 PM

On Saturday, the Florida Times-Union published a blog post about the accidental shooting of an 11-year-old in Orange Park, Florida. The boy's tragic death came only days after a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of 11,000 Florida physicians in response to a new state law barring doctors from asking their patients about gun ownership. The blog's writer, Wayne Ezell, questions whose interests are being protected by the new law -- Florida's children and families or the firearms industry?

Orange Park boy's death serves as grim reminder of Florida's 'gun gag' rule

An article in Sunday's St. Petersburg Times recounts yet another accidental shooting that left 15 year-old Yamel Trigo a quadriplegic. According to the article, "At issue is a new state law, the first of its kind in the nation, which forbids licensed health care workers from asking patients about gun ownership and gun safety absent compelling reasons. Supporters, including the National Rifle Association, say the law was needed to protect gun owners' privacy and stop doctors from 'harassing' patients on the subject."

Legal battle pits part of medical profession against gun-rights advocates

To Children's Movement of Florida Chair David Lawrence, Jr., the issue is child safety. "At its heart this is about giving children the fullest chance to live long and good lives," Lawrence said in a recent Sun Sentinel blog post. "What could be more important than children having the fullest possible chance to be safe?"

Do you think doctors should be allowed to ask patients about gun ownership?

For more on gun safety, see Why it is so important to ASK by Statewide Coordinator Vance Aloupis on National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day and his personal experience with responsible firearm ownership.