Firearms and Mental Health

[Bull Shooter]

I think we need to look at the bigger picture when throwing out our free, gunboard psychiatric advice. If any individual suffers from mental health issues, and especially depression or issues where that individual may have negative aggressive behavior or thoughts of suicide, the last thing I would want to tell him or her is to be careful in revealing these feelings or seeking treatment for fear of losing his or her firearms. This advice or line of thinking really concerns me.

In the majority of instances, mental health issues do not preclude an individual from owning or possessing firearms.

There are several recent tragedies where red flags were waving wildly and many innocent victims had their lives taken or changed forever… the lawful firearms community being one of them. If you need help or think you may need help...get help. Respectfully, Mike

[Big Moose]

Heres the truth to the matter. Doctors don't report to the gun registry or even the cops for that matter. Pateint, Doctor privilege and all that. Unless the doc feels your a danger or about to commit a crime nobody knows about your healthcare status but you and your doctor. So maybe less paranoia is in order.

[duffy4]

The tragic reality is that on PAL applications they ask; "have you ever recieved treatment for depression?"

Those who answer YES may not be able to pocess firearms (they are getting treatment and are honest enough to answer yes, so they probably are good to go with frearms)

Those who are suffering from depression and not recieving treatment (or will not admit it) can answer NO and may be able to obtain firearms when maybe they shouldn't.

Robin in Rocky