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Appeals Court Rules Florida Doctors Can't Ask Patients About Gun Ownership

Physicians in Florida could now risk license suspensions and disciplinary action from the Board of Medicine if they talk to patients about gun ownership or use.

A law banning doctors from asking patients about guns has gone into effect after a federal appeals court lifted a ruling that prevented it from being enforced. As of Tuesday, physicians in Florida could risk license suspensions and disciplinary action from the Board of Medicine if they talk to patients about gun ownership or use when it's not directly related to the treatment being given.

Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law in 2011, but before it could go into effect, doctors and medical groups including the state chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians sued the state, calling the law unconstitutional. The U.S. District Court in Miami agreed but was overturned last year by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

An injunction granted by the District Court was still in effect while the Circuit Court considered if it would re-hear arguments. The Circuit Court judges lifted that order on Tuesday.

Daniel Luzer is GOVERNING's news editor.
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