“Docs v. Glocks” round three again goes to the patients. A third attempt to nullify Florida’s Firearm Owners Privacy Act—signed into law in 2011 by Gov. Rick Scott—fell flat as federal appeals court judges ruled in favor of the legislation that prohibits health care workers from asking patients about guns they may own.
In its latest opinion, the court stated that, “The act seeks to protect patient privacy by restricting irrelevant inquiry and record-keeping by physicians on the sensitive issue of firearm ownership and by prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of firearm ownership.’’
Two previous challenges came about in 2012 and earlier this year in an effort led by the Brady Center, who was representing a group of physician lobby organizations. In all three cases now, the court’s message to doctors has been clear: Stick to patient care.
