Three physicians’ groups have sued the state of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott and several state agencies, charging that a recently signed gun law violates physicians’ constitutional right to free speech.

The lawsuit, filed in federal district court and aided by a national gun-control group, targets a law Scott signed last week which restricts physicians’ ability to ask patients about guns in their homes. Legislators had named it the “Privacy of Firearm Owners Act,” saying doctors have no business asking patients if they own guns. However, doctors including pediatrician Dr. Louis St. Petery, have a different name for it: The “Physician Gag Law.”

“There’s a jail sentence of up to five years and a financial penalty up to $5 million, which is horrendous.”

Doctors say they, and particularly pediatricians, are trained to ask families about gun ownership because of the proven difference that safe gun and ammunition storage can make to their patients. St. Petery, executive vice president of the Florida Pediatric Society, believes the law is a slam-dunk free-speech violation, claiming that the government is muzzling doctor-patient communications.

“I cannot discuss with a parent whether or not they have firearms.”

More than 1,100 children and teens in Florida were shot and killed with firearms in Florida from 1999 to 2007, according to data in the lawsuit. In two months last year, four Florida children died from accidental firearm injuries. In one incident, an 11-year-old boy died after accidentally being shot in the face by his younger brother.