The right to bear arms is a contentious issue in the U.S., but what many may not be aware of is that people over the age of 65 are more likely to own a gun than any other age group.

This poses a medical and legal problem in the U.S., mainly because it is the elderly who are more likely to suffer from dementia and depression, and have a high prevalence of suicide. The combination of any one of these issues and owning a gun could lead to a potentially lethal situation.

For this reason, gun safety among the elderly has become a pressing issue.

Dr. Ellen Pinholt has proposed a series of questions that caregivers and physicians should ask in their discussions with the elderly who own guns.

“Whereas there are well-accepted guidelines for the assessment and counseling of older drivers, there is little to help guide clinicians in their discussions with older gun owners,” wrote Pinholt and her co-authors in an article published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.

Questions such as “Is there a gun at home?,” “Are little children present?,” and “Does the gun owner feel low?” are some of the crucial queries that clinicians can ask to help them gauge the level of safety in the home where an elderly person possesses firearms.

Dr. Pinholt and colleagues encourage physicians to be aware of the help available for intervention should the removal of the gun be warranted. This can include parties such as family, police and Adult Protective Services.