Today went to HPD to go apply for permit to acquire handgun. When I get to the window and show my paperwork, a uniformed officer from behind everyone else asks me a question about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) because I go to the Veterans Affair medical center. He asks if I have been evaluated for PTSD and if I had some kind of certification or something (I forgot his exact words). I told him I've had a questionnaire (evaluation is what I meant to say), but haven't been diagnosed with or had any kind of paper saying. He then tells me that I might be getting a phone call.

This is the first time someone has asked me this at HPD. The question that the officer asked is what is on the mental health questionnaire form that we fill out every time we go and apply for permits there. There is also a form asking for my medical/health provider. Why should they need more proof? Has anyone active, retired or former military have been asked this by the workers at the firearms section, and to provide proof?

Today went to HPD to go apply for permit to acquire handgun. When I get to the window and show my paperwork, a uniformed officer from behind everyone else asks me a question about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) because I go to the Veterans Affair medical center. He asks if I have been evaluated for PTSD and if I had some kind of certification or something (I forgot his exact words). I told him I've had a questionnaire (evaluation is what I meant to say), but haven't been diagnosed with or had any kind of paper saying. He then tells me that I might be getting a phone call.

This is the first time someone has asked me this at HPD. The question that the officer asked is what is on the mental health questionnaire form that we fill out every time we go and apply for permits there. There is also a form asking for my medical/health provider. Why should they need more proof? Has anyone active, retired or former military have been asked this by the workers at the firearms section, and to provide proof?

That's kind of fucked up our veterans should not have to go through that crap.....

 

Did you get his name or badge number?

Yup thats what I heard.....be careful guys

yeah, bad enough the line is too long, now uniformed officers are asking ?'s that is none of their business, thats y i don't put my VA doc on the forms, i just used my civi. doctor i used once to get out of work

This is why, no matter how batshit nuts I feel, I'll never, ever, ever, on pain of death, speak to a military mental health specialist.   

This is why, no matter how batshit nuts I feel, I'll never, ever, ever, on pain of death, speak to a military mental health specialist.   

Instead, call me up.  I'll go buy you a beer at the bar and forget everything we talked about the next day!

This is why, no matter how batshit nuts I feel, I'll never, ever, ever, on pain of death, speak to a military mental health specialist.   

LOL!

I've done a lot of gun paperwork (on the Big Island) and no one has ever asked who my doctor is.  There's a release form to sign, allowing the Police to search medical records...you fill in your name and sign it.

Yup, applying for permits and registering the firearms in Hilo is the most pleasant experience I've had with any police department official ever.

Man, this is the stuff that I'm worried about, with the mental health stuff. Who says what is dangerous? If they say that PTSD sufferers can't get guns, then tons of people won't seek help, 'cause they don't want to lose their guns. It's already bad enough, when guys won't go to a therapist or seek help for depression, because the higher ups might find out.

I need to renew my permit soon.  So we'll see how this goes as I too am a disabled veteran who also goes to the VA Medical Center. 

On another note I I knew this mental health was a slippery slope.

what they need to do is allow you to be re-elligible to own a firearm if you have a mental illness.  if someone has legit, super bad PTSD, it honestly isnt a good idea to let him own a gun.  but if it improves, there shouldnt be any "oh, you used to have a mental health issue, you're fine now, but fuck you anyways, no guns for you" bullshit.

Today went to HPD to go apply for permit to acquire handgun. When I get to the window and show my paperwork, a uniformed officer from behind everyone else asks me a question about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) because I go to the Veterans Affair medical center. He asks if I have been evaluated for PTSD and if I had some kind of certification or something (I forgot his exact words). I told him I've had a questionnaire (evaluation is what I meant to say), but haven't been diagnosed with or had any kind of paper saying. He then tells me that I might be getting a phone call.

This is the first time someone has asked me this at HPD. The question that the officer asked is what is on the mental health questionnaire form that we fill out every time we go and apply for permits there. There is also a form asking for my medical/health provider. Why should they need more proof? Has anyone active, retired or former military have been asked this by the workers at the firearms section, and to provide proof?

I wonder how pissed he would be if you told him its doctor patient confidentiality and you cant talk about it.  Hahahahhahah. its the truth though!!!!

Google "Veterans Disarmament Act". You will find lots of information. This is only one of the pages dedicated to it.

http://www.federaljack.com/?p=19034

Thanks for the concerns and the info.

Google "Veterans Disarmament Act". You will find lots of information. This is only one of the pages dedicated to it.

http://www.federaljack.com/?p=19034

Wow, I did not know that. I'll definitely update if I do get a call from HPD. I shouldn't have anything to worry about.

This is the first time someone has asked me this at HPD. The question that the officer asked is what is on the mental health questionnaire form that we fill out every time we go and apply for permits there. There is also a form asking for my medical/health provider. Why should they need more proof? Has anyone active, retired or former military have been asked this by the workers at the firearms section, and to provide proof?

The forms/waivers are all you're required to provide. So if they ask (which I have been), just say what I did: "Ask my doctor, I'm not a medical professional and not qualified to make that diagnosis."

I think you might have misheard or he misspoke about a call...They call doctors for clarification, not the applicant. It's nothing to worry about, anyone with PTSD and has been treated can have their doctor change it to "stress fatigue".

yeah, bad enough the line is too long, now uniformed officers are asking ?'s that is none of their business, thats y i don't put my VA doc on the forms, i just used my civi. doctor i used once to get out of work

Actually it (kind of) is, if they're asking as part of the mental health/background check. I strongly doubt some random officer is trolling the line to disqualify applicants. It's more likely that they're doing some "pre-screening" to expedite the process and assisting/weeding out those who don't have required docs, active TRO's, etc.

But you're right about who to list on the forms, I don't ever put the VA or any specific doctor...I'm very generic in putting Tripler Army Medical Center*. My cousin who never gets sick listed his urologist. I guess until they make erectile dysfunction or VD a disqualifier, he should be okay.

Google "Veterans Disarmament Act". You will find lots of information. This is only one of the pages dedicated to it.

http://www.federaljack.com/?p=19034

Calling HB 2640, the "Veterans Disarmament Act" just makes it sound more ominious that it actually is. Keep in mind that the PTSD disqualification applies equally to all citizens diagnosed and not just veterans.  But it makes no difference in Hawaii, because mental health checks have been required for years.

Now that soldier suicides are outpacing combat deaths and one veteran takes their life every 65 minutes I understand why they might be a little concerned.

^^^^^

And obviously the only solution is to disarm them. 

How is that different from the anti-suicide nets to keep Chinese laborers from dying when they jump from their housing units?

Not saying I'm agreeing with it. Have a friend who was going to mil psychologist and he said it was making him worse. My advice was to scale back on appointments and gradually stop going so they don't notice. Plenty of civi docs out there who know what they are doing and aren't as influenced by congressional agendas.