Should Doctors Routinely Talk to Patients About Gun Use?

Advocates say it is a doctor’s job to keep patients safe from harm. Opponents say it might undermine trust between doctors and patients

Doctors have to know certain things about their patients to do their jobs well. But people disagree about what some of those things are.

Guns are a prime example.

With guns a leading cause of death, particularly among children, doctors are obligated to inquire about a patient or family’s ownership and use of firearms at annual checkups, some...