Sonnyjim wrote:Hey guys, I understand that this can be a bit of a personal question but i am wondering if anybody could share there experiences with acquiring a firearms licence with a mental illness. I have been looking at getting my firearms licence for years now but I have been diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder, from what I have read i see that you generally need a written letter saying that you are not a threat to yourself or anybody else and i was wondering i guess how hard these are to get, I mean are most doctors/psychiatrist happy to write these? I have never been a danger to anyone nor have i ever self harmed or anything so I don't see a problem with me getting one. I just want to know what my chances of being approved is before I start spending the money. cheers for any help guys.
pomemax wrote:If you are undergoing treatment you will need a letter from your doctor. It is entirely down to your doctor so he's the guy you need to talk to. If he says no then you can try finding a new doctor, but I doubt anybody is going to write such a letter unless he's been treating you for a long period.
As stated but my bet is most Dr will not give you a letter if you should go of the rails Hes going to be in deep and most will not commit for that you age will be a factor too and your last physocit eppisode, if you have ever had one and if the police were ever involved in an eppisode ever I would forget it
ever thought of fishing
Oldbloke wrote:I wonder what illnesses would prevent getting a lic? Any ideas?
MJW380 wrote:Azza might be on to something. Next thing you know the anti’s will come out saying licences are being issued to people with a diagnosed mental illness. Or am I being paranoid?
No1Mk3 wrote:G'day Sonnyjim,
I can only speak for Victoria, but believe the same attitude prevails in SA. I have several friends on medication, 3 for Bi-Polar, and 2 for Depression, who have Shooters Licences. All have Medical Certificates and they have never been refused such. Despite the bull from the AMA, quite a number of Health Professionals are involved in the shooting sports, in my own club we have Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, a Pathologist and 2 Psychologists. Consult your Doctor, and Good Luck.
sungazer wrote:Even just Depression is grounds for not being issued a license. Any mental health issues which you must declare will preclude you from having a license. That is until you can have medical professionals write letters stating that you are a fit and proper person.
TassieTiger wrote:sungazer wrote:Even just Depression is grounds for not being issued a license. Any mental health issues which you must declare will preclude you from having a license. That is until you can have medical professionals write letters stating that you are a fit and proper person.
The problem as I’ve personally witnessed, is that many diseases of the mind are somewhat speculative and made from opinion - within a self sustaining medical industry...I recall several years ago now - after my 9th knee operation, I spat the dummy and lost my temper in rehab when it collapsed on me again. Inside a couple hours I’m diagnosed with depression and handed a script for SSRIs.
Thus a dance commenced between psychologists, psychiatrists, various pharmaceuticals - with the ultimate realisation by the medical field that I was probably just frustrated and angry at the time...I know I’m far from alone with crap like this. Kids that used to just be energetic little nuggets are now diagnosed as having adhd...which would probably preclude a firearms licence. It’s a minefield.
sungazer wrote:Even just Depression is grounds for not being issued a license. Any mental health issues which you must declare will preclude you from having a license. That is until you can have medical professionals write letters stating that you are a fit and proper person.
bigrich wrote:That situation sux zhuk. I suppose the law is for the best intentions, but from what you’ve described of your personal situation it doesn’t seem just . I wonder how many police and military personnel are running around armed with undiagnosed PTSD ? They are probably reluctant to report it , because it might mean their job
Oldbloke wrote:I wonder what illnesses would prevent getting a lic? Any ideas?
AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:I smell a rat
bigrich wrote:That situation sux zhuk. I suppose the law is for the best intentions, but from what you’ve described of your personal situation it doesn’t seem just . I wonder how many police and military personnel are running around armed with undiagnosed PTSD ? They are probably reluctant to report it , because it might mean their job