Battle rages over Florida law limiting doctors' gun speech

MIAMI (AP) — A legal battle over Florida's restrictions on doctors discussing firearm ownership with their patients will soon be decided by an appellate court.

The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will likely rule this year on a lawsuit filed by medical organizations and other groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union that challenged the law.

The law passed in 2011 amid strong support from the National Rifle Association. It is the only one of its kind in the nation.

Doctors say it infringes on their free-speech rights.

Supporters such as the National Rifle Association say doctors began overstepping their bounds in the examination room by pushing an anti-Second Amendment, anti-gun political agenda.