Mental Illness & Guns Question

[NikolaC]

My husband just told me of a disturbing conversation that he had with a former co-worker at lunch today. First, a little background information on this former co-worker, another worker involved and my husband:

Every day the three of them went to lunch together and would talk about a variety of topics. Co-worker #1 is a 23 year old libertarian with a young conservative wife, co-worker #2 is my husband's age (late 30s) and lives at home with his mother. Co-workers #1&2 started hanging out and going to gun range together regularly. Anyway, my husband wound up in a supervisory position over the other two and the resentment and poor work performance started. My husband tried to help and to save their jobs, but co-worker #1 started melting down because they were all under pressure. My husband's boss decided to fire co-worker #1 and put co-worker#2 on a probation of sorts. On the day that #1 was fired, he told my husband that he blamed him for his being fired and, a week later, #1 attempted suicide by taking a bottle of pills.

A couple of weeks ago #2 & #1 approached my husband about having lunch together again and they apologized for everything that had happened and they had been having lunch again regularly ever since. Today at lunch however #1 tells my husband that #2s wife is going to sell him one of her guns. He had been going to the range regularly with #2. My husband told them that it was a really bad idea. Given the history and issues with this man I also think that it is a horrible idea and may not even be legal in this state. I feel that my husband has now been put in a position because we don't know when the sale is going to take place and feel that this man, fresh out of the hospital for a suicide attempt, is not ready for something like that. Any advice or opinions on this?

[slackmaster]

1. A diagnosis, if he even has one, is probably not sufficient to legally bar him from buying a gun

Becoming ineligible for gun ownership due to mental health problems requires either an adjudication or an involuntary commitment.

You are right to be concerned about this situation, but you may not be able to do anything about it other than tipping off the guy's doctor.

[NikolaC]

2. Thanks for answering my question

My concern, given what I know about this man, is not that he would hurt anyone else necessarily but that he could hurt himself. IMO, this kid and his wife's judgement on this matter is faulty at best.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

3. Unless he was mentally adjucated or involuntarily admitted to treatment...

he is likely not prohibited from firearm ownership.

What state are you in? Some states require permits to purchase a gun or posses a gun.
Perhaps you could speak to the police chief if this is the case.
The chief may review the guy's firearm permit, if one exists.

[Euromutt]

4. Her profile says Virginia

No permit required there, I believe.

[sam sarrha]

6. here in NC you have to have a permit to buy a gun, one of the aspects

of the permit is the release of relative medical records. even private transfers are required to obtain a permit. simply
Google:private handgun sales law in _______ /your state.

i just bought a 9mm Bretta and a 380 Bersa recently at the local gun show, got the Permits in about 20 minutes. they just seem to call all the places you lived in the last 20 years to check arrest records. but... considering all the Familacide/suicide lately.. you should probably rat the guy out because he most likely wont get a permit. what are the chances of him coming back an going postal at work.??.

for NC
http://www.bullshooterssupply.com/store/ncfirearmslaws.php
8. IF I BUY A HANDGUN FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHOM I HAVE KNOWN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WHO DOES NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, DO I STILL NEED A PERMIT?
ANSWER: Yes. General Statute § 14-402 does not make any exception for the receipt or purchase of a handgun from a private individual as opposed to a firearms dealer. Therefore, a permit is necessary before the transfer of any handgun.

[NikolaC]

8. Thanks

It does not appear that they are doing anything wrong since the laws in this state concerning private handgun sales are not stringent. Apparently, they don't have to keep a record of the sale either.

[HillbillyBob]

5. I live just south of Danville Va in NC,

First check the local police (non emergency number or legal aid office it won't cost you anything to make and inquiry, do it from a public phone or something calling the local police will give them your phone number legal aid or mental health or suicide hotline I don't know I have not been in this position)
It seems to me that there is a law in process to limit access to guns for mental patients.
Asking should give you a line as to where you need to go or what to do.
My personal opinion(and I ain't always right) is that I would start with local mental health professional or community aid line and ask for an on site mental dr he or she should be able to advise. Manasas is large enough that there should be something. There are usually help lines in the local phone book.

[sam sarrha]

7. should be in the phone book.. maybe the blue pages... the county sheriff checks permits here

apparently you dont need a permit in VA
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm

[NikolaC]

9. I just saw that, thanks

I guess that we can just hope that this man continues to get help for his problem. He will have access to a weapon if he wants one regardless of whether or not #2s wife sells him one of hers.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

10. Mental Illness & Guns Question... That should also be refered to police force.

There are a lot of crazies out their packing... with badges.









DISCLAIMER: I am not saying all are bad.

[burrfoot]

11. History?

First, let me say that I think your concern over this is commendable.
However, what you've described is a guy who got really angry, and then really depressed, and then made a very poor choice with a bottle of pills. It's very unfortunate, but nothing about it was illegal. And, frankly, having once attempted suicide does not disbar a person from owning a gun (in and of itself).
If #1 really wants to do it, it's going to happen with or without a gun.
Also, although I'm certainly not a doctor, it's actually a good sign that #1 has been engaging in something like regular shooting at the range.

(disclaimer: I'm not a doctor and I don't know the whole story and background. Just my .02 based on the post.)


Actually, is it illegal to attempt suicide? I feel like maybe I've read that somewhere, as absurd as it sounds to me.....