Gun Safety: Docs with Glocks

By: Holly L. Thacker, MD • Posted on January 25, 2016 • Updated October 21, 2024

Physicians and Their Role in Gun Safety Counseling

Talking about guns, safety and our second amendment can be politically dicey. There is much controversy in the medical profession regarding the physician’s role, if any, in gun safety. In 2022, there were more than 48,000 deaths from guns in the United States, with approximately 60% of them from suicide.
I took the course for a concealed carry permit and have a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) in the state of Ohio. I was happy to score 100% on the gun safety, laws and weapon written test. I was even more ecstatic to have scored 99% on the marksmanship test, edging out my middle son Emerson and my husband’s prior marksmanship scores - both of whom spend more time on the shooting range than I do. I am not a “Doc with a Glock,” as I prefer my less snappy American Ruger 22 or my little Derringer.

Women and Gun Safety

The National Rifle Association (NRA) was started in 1871 when Union Veterans were dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by the troops, and the NRA remains the premier firearms educational organization in the world. The NRA has several programs dedicated to women, including Women's Leadership Forum.

There is a lot of fear related to guns, I think in large part related to lack of knowledge and training. My son told me how glad he was that he took the all-day course with an additional 2 hours on the range as it emphasized safety, safety, and more safety as well as techniques and the latest in the laws and use of deadly force. He was always exposed to gun safety from his hunter and fisherman, outdoorsman father; however, taking a formal class with commencefire.com was a great experience for both of us. I was impressed that more than one third of the class were women, and we had both expert male and female instructors.

It has been said by many that a gun is a great equalizer between the much greater physical strength of a man and a woman. Speaking of Women's Health emphasizes independence, safety and self-defense for women.

Vigilance, awareness, a buddy system and common sense go a long way. However, every day we are bombarded with horrific stories of women being raped, killed and abducted, many times for years by men because of their sheer greater strength compared to women.

Guns in the Wrong Hands

One of the most consistent findings in mass shootings is that they most frequently occur in “gun-free zones,” like schools, churches and universities.

It’s even been reported that some shooters travel to farther locations that are “gun free,” so they do not have to deal with a defender with a gun. The one thing that stops a “bad guy with a gun” is a “good guy (or gal) with a gun.” One of the things I learned in the CHL class is to be more aware of and potentially avoid locations and establishments that are “gun-free” without law enforcement presence.

For the longest time, I delayed in getting my CHL as I spend most of my time in “gun free zones” and have enjoyed spending my free time with my husband who packs heat. Despite having the experience of a drug-addled person pulling a gun on me in a "gun free" hospital setting and having the experience of walking into my home as a child to find burglars-in-action, I didn’t pursue the official training until my son Emerson told me he wanted me to take the training with him. He realized how easy it was to break into his college apartment when his key jammed in the lock, and he had to find another way to get in!

Gun Safety is Key

I have had many female law enforcement patients who have shown me their very cool concealed carry purses and holsters over the years and have been encouraged by many to get my license.

The CHL course covered the laws and required complete familiarity with both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. I think anyone who owns a gun should go through an educational course, even if they do not carry concealed, as the safety aspect alone is so important. Below are some of the highlights from the CHL course:

Learning how to properly and safely store the weapon and the ammo.
Learning how to clean your gun.
Learning how to inspect your gun.
Types of ammo: Hollow point for personal defense versus Full Metal Jackets (FMJs) for target practice.
Gun malfunctions such as hang fires, stove pipes and squibs and what to do in each case.
Understanding the laws regarding self-defense and defense of others, the Castle doctrine and the duty to retreat if able.

In June 2022, Ohio enacted a permitless carry law (PCL) allowing Ohioans to carry a firearm without a concealed-carry license. This means that any person 21 years of age or older or Active U.S. Military Personnel that have firearms training and can legally possess a firearm under State and Federal Law and meet the requirements of Ohio Statute 2923.125 can carry a handgun openly or concealed in Ohio without any type of permit/license.

However, not all US states allow constitutional carry, so it’s important to know your local, state and federal gun laws before carrying any type of firearm.

Teach Children From a Young Age About Gun Safety

Earning a CHL besides testing requires an application with the Sheriff’s office and a BCI check and absolutely does not deputize a person. Calling the police, calling 911, and general awareness and safety precautions as well as always being alert to one’s surroundings remain key.

The course emphasized the importance of education, education, and more education along with the critical importance of teaching children from a young age about gun safety and taking the curiosity out of the equation.

ProjectChildSafe is a nationwide program teaching firearm safety through safe handling and storage practices.

The best part of going to the Sheriff’s office to take my course was when the clerk referred to my son and me as “husband and wife!” I took that as a compliment. As a young parent, I always asked the parents of my sons' playdates if they had any weapons at their home and how they were stored, but in retrospect I didn’t spend as much time as I should have teaching my sons from an early age about gun safety.

Safety Steps for Gun Handling

Every handling of a weapon requires the following:

Safety
Ammo check
Action
Inspection (with re-inspection taking one’s gaze off and then on again)
Unloaded guns should never be pointed at anyone or anything that it is not intended. Always point “down range” and ALWAYS have your finger off the trigger until ready.
Grip, marksmanship and handling both the semi-automatic and the magazine or the revolver and ammo cartridge in correct sequence are emphasized especially while under stress.
Stacking then racking the pistol or locking the loaded weapon.
Always knowing whether the ammo is chambered and whether there is a safety in place.
Understanding there can be mechanical failure of a safety.

Practice and more practice and a dedication to education, safety and strict routines is key to gun handling.

Be Strong. Be Healthy. Be in Charge!

-Holly L. Thacker, MD

Holly L. Thacker, MD, FACP is nationally known for her leadership in women’s health. She is the founder of the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Health Fellowship and is currently the Professor and Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic and Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Her special interests are menopause and related medical problems including osteoporosis, hormone therapy, breast cancer risk assessment, menstrual disorders, female sexual dysfunction and interdisciplinary women’s health. Dr. Thacker is the Executive Director of Speaking of Women’s Health and the author of The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause.

women, women's health, gun safety, concealed carry permit, dr. holly thacker

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