The First Amendment, The Second Amendment, and Common Sense

I grew up with firearms in the home. My father enjoyed hunting small game. When I was twelve years old he gave me my first shotgun. For more than three decades we hunted together during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. In his home and mine, the firearms and munitions were kept in separate and secure locations. Before I even touched my shotgun, my father taught me about firearm safety. Any responsible father would do that. Unfortunately not all fathers are responsible. Sometimes they need encouragement.

I have said that to preface my incredulity that the governor of Florida has signed a law that bars Florida physicians from asking their patients whether they own a firearm. Some pediatricians regularly ask parents such things as, "Do you have a swimming pool?" "Do you have alcoholic beverages in your home?" and "Do you own a firearm?" When a parent responds affirmatively, the physician offers advice on how to protect children from potential harm. According to a recent article in the New York Times, the National Rifle Association considered such questions harassment and lobbied for a law to protect people's second amendment rights. In response, the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups have filed a suit asserting that the law violates their members' first amendment rights. I cannot fathom the expenditure of so much time, energy, and money on this issue - especially given the myriad challenges law-makers and their constituents face.

When a pediatrician asks whether there are firearms in the home, instead of feeling harassed, a parent, NRA member or otherwise, could say, "Thank you for your concern about my child's safety. We keep our firearms in a locked cabinet and take other measures to protect our children." Parents who do not understand why the physician asked the question can ask and then work together for the well-being of the child. Physicians, pastors, and other professionals often ask personal questions in the normal practice of their profession. It's common sense. During my annual physical my doctor always asks how much alcohol I consume weekly. He doesn't favor reinstating the eighteenth amendment and isn't exercising his first amendment rights. He's assessing how my lifestyle affects my health. It's common sense.

We live in the freest country in the world and I consider myself a patriotic supporter of our liberties. Freedom comes with a cost; but paranoia about losing a freedom benefits no one. Greater practice of common sense would go a long way in promoting and protecting the common good.

Grace and Peace,

LP