The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is siding with physicians in the so-called the Docs versus Glocks lawsuit. State director Howard Simon says the law impinges on a doctor’s right to free speech.
In a statement, Simon argues the law is a restriction on speech that could result in death, largely by suicide or accidental shootings. He’s referring to a 2011 law passed by the Florida legislature prohibiting doctors from inquiring about gun ownership and keeping similar information in patient files in nearly all circumstances.
Simon says he hopes quote “common sense” prevails in the case, warning that if the lawsuit fails, the National Rifle Association will push to introduce the law in other states. The ACLU of Florida has filed what’s called an amicus or “friend of the court” brief, in the case.
In an interview with the News Service of Florida, longtime NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer argues doctors asking and lecturing patients about guns is politics and not medicine. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will take up the case Tuesday.
