Does "past" alcohol addiction bar you from owning firearms

[DEAHEAT]

e. are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance.


I would say no because when i got my wisdom teeth taken out i was taking alot of percs for the pain, they were the worst case he has ever seen they were so impacted. That being said No, since i get my pills from the Doctor "I am not a, an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance."

That being said in Florida i can literally take my gun into the restaurant sit down with my friends and just get start throwing beers back. But i'm Not allowed to sit at the bar

 

[Gouranga]

Good info guys. I guess one of the things that confused me too was NCs concealed carry permit (http://www.gastongazette.com/news/home-54024-johnson-day.html) actually seems to confuse the situation (see question 6 on page 3) as it explicitly lists alcohol and then references the federal statute which does not mention it.

Anyway, he does not have the money to even think about a conceal permit right now anyway which was why I suggested he pick up an inexpensive HD shotgun. From what I am hearing here (yes, I realize how valuable free legal advice can be ), seems like he would be fine.

 

[Mike J]

HelterSkelter your post somewhat alarms me. I do not know what your sources are but I would bet money you have never sat up with someone that was going through DT's. Actually we didn't keep them with us any longer than necessary. We took them to medical professionals as soon as possible. Alcohol abuse is a serious thing that can tear someones body to pieces over time. It does not take someone down as fast as some other substances but the end result is the same.

 

[Gouranga]

Don't take Mike J's word for it: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#alcoholismAbuse

 

[KBintheSLC]

seeing as alcohol is not a drug that causes a physical or psychological need such as nicotine or heroin it shouldn't be called addiction. -helterskelter

Sounds like you picked the wrong school to get your MS in psych if that is the rubbish they are teaching you. Obviously, you have never seen an alcoholic going through withdrawals? Or experiencing DT's (delirium tremens: a medical condition associated with alcohol withdrawals that has been broadly accepted in the psychiatric community since 1813). Actually, alcohol is the most likely drug to kill your from withdrawals alone... worse than heroine.

How do I know this? I used to volunteer at a treatment facility, and witnessed it first hand on more than one occasion. Don't fool yourself or your future clients, alcohol is likely the worst drug out there... regardless of it's legal status.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Alcohol= Legal, Pot= Illegal, Alcohol causes more deaths per annum than cancer, Pot? Cant seem to find a single death related to pot.

Helterskelter, you may wish to visit the dean of your school and request that they immediately return your fee's. Whoever is teaching you that rubbish must have gotten their credentials from a box of Count Chocula. Anyone that has been through the world of alcoholism can tell you that it damn well is a PHYSICAL addiction. I have been clean and sober for many years now and can testify first hand on the affects that DT's have on the human body. Picture a male in his early 30's, 6' 5" 250 pounds solid muscle that can throw an average human being around like a rag doll. Now imagine that same individual going through DT's. It was NOT a pretty sight to say the least. A lot of my closest friends got seriously injured trying to get me down and to the hospital. Took my little bitty wife and an iron skillet to my thick head. Have to say I think she enjoyed that a bit too damn much but thats another story

As to the OP, you have already gotten your answer. Nowhere on form 4473 has alcohol related problems. Other than DUI in SOME states, there is nothing alcohol related in purchasing a firearm.

 

[788Ham]

Helterskelter,

Maybe you should attend an accredited school, where some one there understands what addictions are. Its quite evident you know nothing about them, as Mike J stated, reread his statements, spend some time in an alcohol rehad unit, longer than an hour, "listen to whats said", pick up The Big Book of AA, then, read the black, forget about the white on the pages. Might learn something. Just because you're "almost" there on a masters, doesn't mean squat as far as knowing anything!

 

[sig220mw]

My wife is an alcoholic that has been sober now for over three years. I accompanied her to AA meetings and also to doctors' offices on many occasions. More than one doctor told us that alcoholism was the hardest of physical addictions to kick. They didn't offer any explanation as to why.

Back to the subject of the OP, yes your friend can buy a firearm since alcohol does not come under the "controlled substance" heading.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

If cocaine use doesn't disqualify someone from having a finger on the big nuclear button of the US, I don't see why a prior problem with alcohol would prevent someone from owning a firearm. If your friend was CURRENTLY drinking, it would be a different story.

As for helterskelter, you all have to remember what they call a person who finishes last in medical school - doctor. Hopefully his grammar skills will improve as he gets closer to graduation.

 

[Davek1977]

Helter Skelter, I'm not sure where you are obtaining your information from, but whatever the source, it is EXTRMEMELY flawed in many ways. Your statements fly in the face of research into the field, and contridict most medical professionals' view of addiction and alcoholism. It certainly flies in the face of my education, as well as my personal esxperiences. I suppose AIDS isn't real either? Cancer? Alcoholism is a disease, one that kills a fair share of those who suffer from it, in one way or another. To pretend alcoholism doesn't exist is laughable, and comparing a very real physical addiction to alcohol to someone's desire for a cheeseburger only further demonstrates your utter and complete lack of understanding for the common definition of what alcoholism is. Seeing someone suffer delerium tremons from f alcohol withdrawl is a much uglier picture than someone rubbing their belly and thinking "Wow, a burger would be REALLY good about now".

 

[Art Eatman]

Half this thread's posts are off-topic, which is why I'm closing it.

Absent court involvement, alcholism is not grounds for denial of purchase of a firearm.