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Provider Video

As a physician, I know how important it is to ask my patients about firearms. I treat it like any other safety issue, and we’ll often have several conversations about it over time in different visits.

Many of my patients are older adults with memory problems or depression. I think it’s important to sit with someone and explain that their diagnosis puts them at higher risk of suicide, even if they think they would never harm themselves. I also make sure they know there are support services available to them, and I offer to speak with a family member, if that would make them more comfortable.

If a patient is at risk of harming themselves or others, I’ll suggest they get rid of their firearms.  When these folks are adamant about keeping their guns, I ask them to involve a family member in changing the combination on their gun safe or temporarily moving guns out of the home.

If it *is* safe for a patient to have firearms in the home, I still help them make sure their guns are securely stored.

I appreciate that my patients value their firearms and rights as American citizens. My primary goal is always to prevent firearm injury and help keep my patients and their families healthy and safe.