Hello,

I am new to the forums and have a question regarding question 26 and FID.  I will be getting finger printed tomorrow and then hopefully submitting my application.  In regards to question 26

 

(Have you ever been attended, treated or observed by any doctor or psychiatrist or at any hospital or mental institution on an inpatient or outpatient basis for any mental or psychiatric condition? If yes, give the name and location of the doctor, psychiatrist, hospital or institution and the date(s) of such occurrence.),

 

how far back does one need to go?  I was seen one time (initial visit) by a psychiatrist in 2008, and once in 2009 (different psychiatrist) in which I was prescribed meds, but never took them (picked them up however) and never went back - both for general anxiety issues.  Also currently my GP prescribes me anti-anxiety meds when I fly.  Would this information constitute me needing to answer 'yes' to question 26? Will doing so decrease my chances of getting a FID?


Also when they do the mental health background check, what records are they checking?  I called my old GP to see if they had the names of the psychiatrist I visited, but apparently the records are too old that they don't have them so I don't even remember the doctors names.  How will the police department be able to find out this information?

Thanks

I have never heard of anyone having their medical records looked into but who knows with this state

I do not consider anxiety a psychiatric condition, that is just my interpretation.

Dear peglegnmh,

 

I also have thought very long and hard about the ramifications of Q#26 before I submitted my P2P application 10 weeks ago.  After much deliberation and a consultation with a firearms attorney,  I chose to answer "Yes" for the reason below.   I am optimistic I will be receiving my P2Ps (i.e. Permit to purchase a Handgun) in the next week or two.  I do not believe my answering "yes" is delaying nor precluding my permit issuance.  Having said that, I have been prepared from the outset to retain an attorney should for any reason I was denied and an appeal became necessary.  My points below represent my own personal decision.  Others may choose to do differently.  Given this is a public forum, there is a limit to what I will share here.  Send me a private message if you need any further clarification.

- My background leading me to answer Yes to Q#26 was of course different, but generally of a similar nature to yours.

- You can analyze to death the topic of what they may or may not find out about your medical background. Same goes for what may or may not constitute a "mental or psychiatric condition".  (If you search these forums you will find several such threads. I read them all.) 

- Q#26 is very broad and far reaching in it's scope.  It also does not set a timeframe on how far back it is asking.  Take the wording at it's face value: "Have you EVER....".

 

*** The over-riding consideration for me was that I did not want to risk being accused, now or anytime in the future, of having falsified the STS-033.   Falsification of the form is a serious crime in and of itself, would result in the denial of my application, AND also put my existing  NJFID and firearm ownership rights at risk.

 

I therefore answered "Yes" and attached an explanatory letter providing clarification on why I chose to do so.  (I do realize that answering Yes will necessitate answering Yes anytime I fill out the form in the future.  However, at least I will have the satisfactory outcome of my current application to use as a baseline and precedent.)

 

Hope this helped.

Mental health record checks are to see if you have ever been interred at an institution for treatment. I know of no check to your personal physician unless you state the reasons.  We all experience anxiety from time to time in our lives.  When it becomes a daily occurrence that effects how you live your life, then it becomes a serious mental illness.  Being afraid to fly, fear of dogs, etc. are normal human emotions based on prior experiences.  How you answer is your choice.  Just bear in mind that the response you give may require you to seek a letter from your physician that you are OK.  Is he willing to do that?  Are you willing to do that?  These are all questions you must resolve for yourself. It it up to your local chief to decide if he feels you are fit enough for a FID or P2P based on the answers you provide.