Physician mortified when asked about CCW medical form.

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Warhawk83

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In my state, when you apply for a ccp you must sign a form to release your medical records.

Background: I'm 26 years old, but I'm disabled with two children,and trying to finish a college degree. There have been many circumstances as of late that have been very difficult. My property has flooded 3 times in 7 months, I'm typing this above 2 feet of water in my yard.

Because of this I have had occasional bouts of depression. I am not violent, homicidal, suicidal, never committed a crime, had 2 speeding tickets in my life. I'm pretty dull honestly.

I decided to apply for my CCP, because I honestly don't feel that I could adequately defend myself and my family in public from an able bodied BG. Open carry is legal in my state but it just doesn't appeal to me.

So, had a DR's appointment today and asked if he would have a problem signing off on the form when they request it. His jaw literally dropped when I asked this. He said there is nothing in my record that would keep him from signing off but they just don't do that there. He said if he received the form he would do NOTHING with it. Then proceeded to ask me if I've been carrying weapons around.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to open carry but I'm concerned that this quack will put something that will take my gun rights away period. I could tell from the look on his face that he has probably never even held a gun. :uhoh:

Thoughts?
 
Get a new doc. When I messed up my shoulder mine asked if I needed a handicapped hunting permit without even being asked.
 
I think you need to look into what kind of form it is you have to complete. If it is simply a release of medical records, that is something you fill out and give to the doctor, authorizing him to release your records to a third party. He is obligated to release the records when you do this, as the records are technically yours, and he is serving as custodian. He will not have to do anything but release your current records.

I think you may have presented this wrong to your doctor. I doubt Louisiana requires a doctor to "sign off" on your permit, nor state that you are medically fit for a permit. I think that is what he thought you were asking him to do. That is an entirely different thing.

I think all the state wants is the ability to look at your medical record if they decide they want to. I don't think they are asking the doctor to make a medical judgement as to whether you are phyiscally and psychologically fit to carry a gun.
 
. We are lucky for the NRA and GOA groups like that are the only thing keeping us from being more like the UK, and Australia. Doctors have taken away peoples 2nd amendment rights, if they feel you could be danger to yourself or others its over. And its based on there feelings about you. I said that in another thread and I got the take off the tin foil hat award. :) Heres one such article that includes A proposed bill stating as such
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59341
 
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...the records are technically yours, and he is serving as custodian.
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I've always heard that the medical records are the property of the Dr.'s office. That's why you can't simply walk in and ask for the file and walk out.
 
Bouts of depression are often treated with medication. Many of these medications warn patients to be cautious while operating a motor vehicle or using heavy machinery. Psychotropic drugs can impair judgment.

Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
 
Originally by balrog I think all the state wants is the ability to look at your medical record if they decide they want to. I don't think they are asking the doctor to make a medical judgement as to whether you are phyiscally and psychologically fit to carry a gun.
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http://www.lsp.org/pdf/chMedicalDispo.pdf

Actually,they do ask the DR's opinion.

crankyoldlady Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
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He doesn't have an issue with me carrying firearms, I told him it was an open carry state, and as I said he saw nothing in my record to stop me from getting said permit. He just won't be the one to do it, because it's a "state institution" not a private practice. He knows that I have guns and shoot regularly, he has no problem with it, just doesn't want to be the one to sign the form.

As far as medication is concerned ,you know fairly quickly how it affects you. My motor skills are not affected in any way. I don't take medicine that has psychotropic effects. I have mild depression, you actlike I'm in a straight jacket.
 
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cranky i understand what you are saying but if a doctor is anti-2nd amendment now he or she has power to impose his or her political views on others and I dont agree with that.
 
Maybe a different doctor...

That's what makes me the maddest when I hear some idiot politician or even worse, some idiot gun-owner, touting permits as a good thing...

I got offended when I was first asked by a doctor if I had any firearms in the house. I told him I didn't see the need to answer one way or the other, and didn't. Of course, they also hung up a sign that says "No Weapons Allowed" and yet I still go in there carrying my brain concealed and my body openly
:neener:

As with anything concerning Dr.'s opinions, you should seek a second one.
If it's possible, make an appointment with a different doctor and let the doc know you need to speak to him/her about a very private matter and have that one sign it for you. Your medical record is not to be released/discussed to ANYONE without your written consent per the National Healthcare Information Privacy Act or HIPA...

Hope this helps, good luck, and keep trying 'till you find one that will sign it.
 
LA Revised Statutes 40:1299.96 said:
PART XXIX. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION

§1299.96. Health care information; records

...

(2)(a) Medical records of a patient maintained in a health care provider's office are the property and business records of the health care provider.

(b) Except as provided in R.S. 44:17, a patient or his legal representative ... shall have a right to obtain a copy of such record upon furnishing a signed authorization and upon payment of a reasonable copying charge, ...

...

(d) A health care provider may deny access to a record if the health care provider reasonably concludes that knowledge of the information contained in the record would be injurious to the health or welfare of the patient or could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or safety of any other person.
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I'm no lawyer, but as I read it, your health care records, from his office, are his, but you have a right to them, but if he reasonably concludes that they might endanger you he can deny turning them over.

Since hoplophobes are unreasonable by definition you should get a new doc.
 
Would it be your opinion that 27 million Americans who are currently on antidepressants should not be allowed to own firearms?


crankyoldlady
Bouts of depression are often treated with medication. Many of these medications warn patients to be cautious while operating a motor vehicle or using heavy machinery. Psychotropic drugs can impair judgment.

Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
Click to expand...
 
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Bouts of depression are often treated with medication. Many of these medications warn patients to be cautious while operating a motor vehicle or using heavy machinery. Psychotropic drugs can impair judgment.

Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
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The OP said he's had "occasional bouts with depression". He never said he was actually
diagnosed by his MD. So, you don't really know, do you? "Depression" can mean anything from simple sadness to major depressive disorder, and you wouldn't want to be treated with psychotropic drugs for being sad, would you? You wouldn't want to deny a person his right to a firearm for having episodes of sadness, would you? I'm just sayin'.
 
Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
Click to expand...

But carrying keys to a 3,000lb metal monster, capable of 100+ MPH, that is involved in the deaths of tens of thousands of people each year is OK. Interesting ...
 
crankyoldlady said:
Bouts of depression are often treated with medication. Many of these medications warn patients to be cautious while operating a motor vehicle or using heavy machinery. Psychotropic drugs can impair judgment.

Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
Click to expand...

Just because the patient has a "history of depressive episodes" doesn't necessarily mean they're actively taking medication. If they're not, there should be absolutely no issue at all.

Which medications do you refer to specifically? As far as I'm aware, most people using such medication are still able to drive, so I assume this impairment is slight. Furthermore, this isn't like the numerous "carrying while under the influence of alcohol" threads we've had. Those people have a very viable option: not drinking. But choosing to forgo anti-depressants can be a much less viable option.
 
Well, maybe we should stop people on antidepressants from driving or owning cars, too! For that matter, we should take their kitchen knives away too! ;)

svaz
But carrying keys to a 3,000lb metal monster, capable of 100+ MPH, that is involved in the deaths of tens of thousands of people each year is OK. Interesting ...


Quote: Sorry, but I respect any physician who has concerns about a patient carrying loaded firearms who has a history of depressive episodes.
Click to expand...
 
svaz i agree. Its all about the spin the media puts on things. Those smarts cars don't look real safe to me and yet the media always talks about gas guzzling suv's killing are planet.
 
12131 said:
The OP said he's had "occasional bouts with depression". He never said he was actually
diagnosed by his MD. So, you don't really know, do you? "Depression" can mean anything from simple sadness to major depressive disorder, and you wouldn't want to be treated with psychotropic drugs for being sad, would you? You wouldn't want to deny a person his right to a firearm for having episodes of sadness, would you? I'm just sayin'.
Click to expand...

Depression, in the medical sense, is more severe than sadness. It's not simply being sad because a friend died or anything like that, but an all-around lack of motivation, joy, and self-esteem. It's generally more persistent than sadness caused by some external event.

Sorry for being pedantic, but a good friend of mine suffers from bipolar disorder. I don't like the implication that it's so trivial, though that may not have been what you meant.
 
They'd have a helluva time with me. I don't think I've ever transferred anything from doctor to doctor. I haven't had a primary care physician or whatever in 10 years and I'm young. I just make an appt with whoever when I have an issue. If they need a referral to see me I go to a doctor and get a referral.

You could probably just go find a new doctor and not transfer anything over. He'll release his one visit and it's done.
 
I looked at that form from post #9. Do they send those to every doctor every permit applicant has been to? If they do and they actually look at that stuff they must have quite a staff of medical experts. It seems to me there must not be many permits applied for and issued in Louisiana.
 
He said there is nothing in my record that would keep him from signing off but they just don't do that there.
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=
Time for a new doctor.
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Ditto. Now if he had some medially sound reason fine, but, just because he doesn't want to do it? Forget it. Guess what, he WORKS FOR YOU! If he won't do as you ask fire his rear and hire someone else. Capitalism in action!
 
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