Associated Press
A federal appeals court has agreed to reconsider previous rulings that upheld a Florida law restricting what doctors can ask patients about guns.
The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday tossed out the earlier decisions by divided three-judge panels of the same court.
The full court agreed to requests by organizations representing some 11,000 medical providers and other groups to rehear arguments about the so-called “Docs and Glocks” law.
The three-judge panel had rejected challenges to the law claiming it violates constitutional free speech rights.
The law signed in 2011 by Gov. Rick Scott prohibits doctors from asking patients about gun ownership or recording such information unless it is medically necessary.
Doctors and their supporters say asking about guns is a safety issue and could save lives.
