A-R wrote:Just brainstorming ... seems the same type of psychiatrist who would sign off on a peace officer being "fit for duty" could/would sign off on your situation, or at least point you toward a colleague who could.
I doubt any law enforcement agency will make an official recommendation, but if you know any LEOs in your area and could have a personal conversation .. also check with local police academies and/or criminology programs, perhaps even defense attorneys?
Just thinking ways for you to get some names to check.
In what part of Texas do you live (skimmed the posts, so may have missed this).
Even expanding on this post...maybe you could find a LEO forum and link them to this thread here asking the same question. Maybe one of our LEO's on this forum will read it and have a recommendation they could give publically or by PM.
A-R wrote:Just brainstorming ... seems the same type of psychiatrist who would sign off on a peace officer being "fit for duty" could/would sign off on your situation, or at least point you toward a colleague who could.
I doubt any law enforcement agency will make an official recommendation, but if you know any LEOs in your area and could have a personal conversation .. also check with local police academies and/or criminology programs, perhaps even defense attorneys?
Just thinking ways for you to get some names to check.
In what part of Texas do you live (skimmed the posts, so may have missed this).
This is a pretty good idea. Thanks -- I'll see if I can't look in that direction. I'm in the Dallas area, BTW.
Just an update. So far, no luck. I have called around to almost 3 dozen different psychiatrist offices, but no go. Either the doctor "isn't taking any new patients", or they "don't do" requests like mine.
I've notified a few gun rights lawyers about my situation, just to see if they have any suggestions. I'm thinking they've probably run across this Advisory Board request more than once or twice in their careers. Maybe they know a few gun-knowledgeable specialists. Heck, at this point, I'd take a gun-ignorant doctor.
I appreciate your persistence in dealing with this.
This is starting to sound like one of those concepts that sounds great in theory ("have a statement from a psychiatrist"), but is impossible to accomplish.
Why not just get a Florida CHL and be done with it?
Jumping Frog wrote:Why not just get a Florida CHL and be done with it?
Does Florida require self-disclosure of any prior hospital stays on its application form? If so, I have the same problem as presently.
Also, I feel some kind of obligation to get myself clear and vindicated within the state which I reside. Maybe it's honor, or something.
Thanks for the suggestion, though! I will take a look at the Florida forms.
I have a Virginia-non-res CHl also .. I dont remember the app, but you can view it on thier web site. You have to email them for the app package as they dont accept digital fingerprints Good Luck.
I went through a similar deal that I am really torn on.
Background in a nutshell:
Dad and uncle died in a 12 month period, it was tough, the bottle got ahold of me and I checked myself into rehab here in Grapevine and did 20 some days of rehab and now 16 months clean. Never a police run in, no dui, no job issues, no nothing regarding the law, policies, anything.
I filled out my CHL app and put the rehab on there. Did my CHL class and mailed my stuff in.
While waiting for my stuff in December, Newton happens, etc etc and numerous friends inquire about my CHL process. I coach four different people, practice shoot with them on the range, take them to the class, all four use my M&P 40 to qualify, etc.
Then I get the same package of Medical Board paperwork OP mentions. I went to my regular doc as he knew my story, he filled it out, I included a letter of explanation of the story behind the story and mailed it off back in late Feb.
Meanwhile, all the people I coached are my old drinkin buddies. The ones that did the prints and mailed everything in, have thier CHL in hand now. The sober guy who coached everyone is being scrutinized while they sit at the bar (not carrying, and don't know that any of them even have yet) talking and showing their CHL to me. Seems backwards...
On one hand, Im the responsible one that was honest on the application, that is sober, and willing to do whatever to prove I am sober. I should get mine before them from simple timing!!!
But...
I also respect the general stats that probably say someone that went to rehab is a high risk relapse, but again, relapse to what? Crime? Never had any before. I wasn't beating a wife or gf, I didn't crash ten cars and now on probation thinking I deserve a CHL.
I type this without my CHL, sober, and the paperwork is still with the medical board and the DPS help line says "Its in thier hands" with no timeline, no average timeline, nothing.
As someone posted above, I have only called them one time, as I don't want to seem like the "Where is it where is it where is it" nutjob needing for a specific reason.
So for now....my XDS rides in the console, out of sight, as I am a law abiding citizen. Just seems odd that if I was still a drunk I could have my CHL by now...you would think there might be a better way to sort out those who chose to stop drinking (something legal) vs those with a list a mile long of "issues" with the law or illegal substances.
Greg
Flower Mound, TX
LCP, XDS, M&P, 1911, Judge, Raging Judge, 41 Mag, Reck, 1965 Python, and the list goes on...
Justledoux wrote:Hello to all and here goes my first post!
I went through a similar deal that I am really torn on.
Background in a nutshell:
Dad and uncle died in a 12 month period, it was tough, the bottle got ahold of me and I checked myself into rehab here in Grapevine and did 20 some days of rehab and now 16 months clean. Never a police run in, no dui, no job issues, no nothing regarding the law, policies, anything.
I filled out my CHL app and put the rehab on there. Did my CHL class and mailed my stuff in.
While waiting for my stuff in December, Newton happens, etc etc and numerous friends inquire about my CHL process. I coach four different people, practice shoot with them on the range, take them to the class, all four use my M&P 40 to qualify, etc.
Then I get the same package of Medical Board paperwork OP mentions. I went to my regular doc as he knew my story, he filled it out, I included a letter of explanation of the story behind the story and mailed it off back in late Feb.
Meanwhile, all the people I coached are my old drinkin buddies. The ones that did the prints and mailed everything in, have thier CHL in hand now. The sober guy who coached everyone is being scrutinized while they sit at the bar (not carrying, and don't know that any of them even have yet) talking and showing their CHL to me. Seems backwards...
On one hand, Im the responsible one that was honest on the application, that is sober, and willing to do whatever to prove I am sober. I should get mine before them from simple timing!!!
But...
I also respect the general stats that probably say someone that went to rehab is a high risk relapse, but again, relapse to what? Crime? Never had any before. I wasn't beating a wife or gf, I didn't crash ten cars and now on probation thinking I deserve a CHL.
I type this without my CHL, sober, and the paperwork is still with the medical board and the DPS help line says "Its in thier hands" with no timeline, no average timeline, nothing.
As someone posted above, I have only called them one time, as I don't want to seem like the "Where is it where is it where is it" nutjob needing for a specific reason.
So for now....my XDS rides in the console, out of sight, as I am a law abiding citizen. Just seems odd that if I was still a drunk I could have my CHL by now...you would think there might be a better way to sort out those who chose to stop drinking (something legal) vs those with a list a mile long of "issues" with the law or illegal substances.
Greg
Flower Mound, TX
LCP, XDS, M&P, 1911, Judge, Raging Judge, 41 Mag, Reck, 1965 Python, and the list goes on...
Have any of your old drinking buddies been to rehab, arrested for DUI or public intox, or something similiar? If they haven't then what would they be required to disclose...That they go to the bar and have a few drinks?
No no...I guess I didn't clarify. By no means am I saying they don't deserve the CHL. If I thought that I would never have helped them, loaned them my pistol, ammo, etc. I don't think they should have or need to do anything at all.
I am saying I made a personal decision to better my life, and it penalizes me in this situation due to the black and white "rehab means one thing", and so the waiting begins, based on the self disclosure of the rehab. Part of me said leave it off since there is no worldwide database for self check in, self pay rehab that I know of. Of course I thought no, be honest as its nothing to be ashamed of.
In the end I only posted to share the story and the wait. Not to rustle up support, or complain, as I am middle of the road on the subject as stated.
I have my opinions both directions and wanted to share them. I fully know its a bed I made and I am 100% willing to wait it out and hopefully sound minds will look at facts and everything will be fine.
It's one of those deals where you get punished for being honest. If you had not reported it they would have had no idea you had ever been in rehab. However you are candid and self-report it and now you're stuck in limbo. I think the only thing DPS can find is if you were involuntarily committed to a psych hospital.
Texas1999 wrote:It's one of those deals where you get punished for being honest. If you had not reported it they would have had no idea you had ever been in rehab. However you are candid and self-report it and now you're stuck in limbo. I think the only thing DPS can find is if you were involuntarily committed to a psych hospital.
Don't be so sure.
With Obamacare implementation in full swing, there is a lot of database consolidation underway. While they may not see the rehab today, who is to say what they will be able to see at renewal time? Then you are stuck with renewal problems and and dealing with having carried fraudulently for the previous 5 years.
Do not overlook that anyone who is in rehab that is paid by a 3rd party entity has created a financial digital record trail that is easily followed.
I also had reported history for a substance abuse issue 13 years ago. I admitted myself to a non-medical facility, completed the program and have been drug and alcohol free since then. Since I didn't have a doctor then, I took the form to my family doctor who has treated me for the past 9 years, and who has been aware of my past history since I became his patient. He completed the form for me and mailed it in a week ago. If you have a family doctor, you might check with him/her to see about getting the form filled out. The way I read it, it does not have to be a psychiatrist who can attest to your "sound judgment", but any licensed physician.
Like you, I am patiently twiddling my thumbs waiting for this to get cleared up.
Another place to look is with flight examiners. Pilots go through this stuff if they've *ever* been treated with a medication that could indicate a mental illness. Basically if you've ever been given an anti-depressant, you're going to have to spend some $$$ and jump though a bunch of hoops.
Let me know if you can't find someone and I'll reference a flight doc privately who gives advice on these types of issues. Know that an exam of the type that you want will not be inexpensive and will not be covered by insurance...
