Medical conditions and CCW?

[Spieler]

I find myself on new ground here, so bear with me a moment please.

Four days ago I suffered a seizure, the first ever, and although I have not had a reoccurance since, I am now concerned whether or not I should continue to carry concealed. I am still undergoing some testing and my neurologist has prescribed some low dose anti-seizure medication for the sole reason that I still have to operate a motor vehicle to and from work.

I've been thinking that if my neurologist believes I am capable enough to operate a motor vehicle I should be responsible enough to continue to carry concealed. During the first seizure I blacked out for about five minutes, thankfully I was at home when it happened, but what if I had been alone out in public and my weapon was exposed and/or stolen?

Anybody else here suffer from this affliction and carry concealed? I've found no Georgia statute that prohibits seizure victims from obtaining a concealed carry permit or actually carrying concealed. So, are my fears of a gun snatch well founded or am a worrying about nothing?

Thanks.

 

[TheEgg]

As long as your condition is not wildly out of control I would not worry about it.

None of us know when we might pass out, get dizzy, get clonked on the head, etc. etc. etc.

But the odds against something like this happening and then having someone see your weapon and then steal it are probably much less than getting hit by an asteroid!

Just take care of yourself, get good treatment, and don't worry so much!

 

[Andrew Rothman]

What The Egg said.

If it'll set your mind at ease, think about a "deeper" concealmeant method for a while -- one that, even if you were unconscious, as unlikely as that is, your weapon couldn't be seen.

Belly band, tuckable IWB, SmartCarry, etc. would all fit the bill.

 

[WT]

If you are healthy enough to drive, you are healthy enough to carry a firearm. If it gets stolen, so be it. Get another one.

 

[Archie]

My primary concern...

would be blacking out on the freeway at 70 mph.

If you aren't concerned about that, I wouldn't sweat the gun part.

 

[Calhoun]

Spieler,
Check your box. You have PM

 

[Topgun]

Get a "release" trigger like trapshooters use. Start the day with the trigger pulled. Keep it pointed in a safe direction. But if the chips hit the fan and you black out, it will fire automatically, thus saving your life.

KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING

Just couldn't resist.

 

[Dorin62]

Spieler ---I know from history what your are going through --I also have had seizues in the past and am on a daily dose of meds--- soooo I guess its okay to say that I have Epilepsy, its not something that I am (a epileptic), rather a condonition that effects a certian amount of people in this world, and I just got my CCW.

In MI there was not any factors concerning a CCW and epilepsy that came to light when I went throught the process.

The most important thing in your life IF your are diagnosed with epilepsy is taking your meds EVERY day, once I ruined a 10 year seizure free peroid by decreasing my daily dose without consulting my doctor (dum dum dum):banghead:

Your fears are something I have done some thinking about also. as of yet my best solution is a thunderwear type holster -- I have yet to order one though.
I hope this helps let me know if I can be of more assistance.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

Even the healthiest of us could get bonked on the head by a BG and have our gun stolen. I'm not going to stop carrying because that's a possibility. There are many ways we could go down and have our gun exposed.

As long as your medical condition doesn't make you dangerous with a gun, you shouldn't worry about it too much. If you're really concerned, switch to deep cover like a smart carry or even (ugh) a pager pal.

I can't believe I just recommended a pager pal.

 

[gigmike]

Let's say you have to use your handgun to defend yourself. Are you concerned that an atty or prosecutor would gain knowledge of your condition and claim that you didn't make a conscious decision to fire but rather your gun fired because of a seizure. Thus making you negligent, etc.?

I don't think this would stop me, but just wondering if this was something you'd considered. Best of luck with your treatment.

 

[crawfish]

I don't know about GA but if you were in NC, IMO you would have to give up your CCW at least on a temporary basis. Here is my reasoning on that. When I applied I had to give access to my medical records, they were checked for any condition that would prevent me from obtaining a CCW. My/your medical condition has changed substantially since you were issued that permit with the onset of seizures so in NC I/you would need to reapply, I think, using the new medical history. Is it that way in GA?

 

[scenter]

CCW and medical conditions

Welcome to the world of Epilepsy and CCW. This question of concealed carry by persons who are epileptics has been discussed in Washington State. However it appears that your civil rights and civil prilviledges are protected by state and federal law. If you would like more information, you write me privately or join our firearms civil rights discussion gorup [email protected]

Sincerely yours,
Colleen Edwards
Washington state

 

[Valkman]

Another reason you're lucky you don't live in CA! When we lived there and my wife told the doc a story about bing on an escalator and forgetting where she was for a second, he read it to mean she had a seizure and immediately had the DMV yank her license. No waiting to find out what was going on - there you go without until you can prove that you're ok, and it's not easy.

To me, if you can drive you can CCW. Here in NV nobody had suggested my wife give up her license but mostly I drive her around to be safe.

 

[Piney]

I would suggest that you step back and make an unbiased evaluation on how you would answer that question if it were your neighbor or a relative in the same situation. I would also solicit the opinions of knowledgeable people that you know and trust with the background to help make such a decision.

 

[scenter]

Medical conditions and CC@D

I will only address the legal issues in Washington state, but driving is not a prerequisite to CCW (CPL) in Washington State. Mental health histories are checked when you acquire or renew your licnese, but not medical records. Two very different things legally.

Should you acquire a felony conviction or a negative mental compensary hearing your CPlL would be withdrawn. Criminal and civil competency hearinngs are court ordered, with the person being presented by legal counsel.

What seems to be the problem is that seizures and the inability of persons trained or untrained to recogziize seiaures. Sometimes persons in authroity do not recognize or look for the signs or evidence of the person being epileptic. Thus creating the problem of a person who is epileptic being classified as mentallly ill, drug user, alcoholic.

There is a lot of good information about this subject at http:///www.efa.org However still in our society prevails some discrimination against persons with disabilities. Thankfully we have state and federal laws to protect persons who are disabled by s seizure disorder or who are have been disabled at one time by a seizure disorder.

Some EMS and hospital personel do not think that civilialians should be able to carry. They believe only law enforcement should be allowed to carry. This is complicated by the fact that many hospitals in our state are off limits to CPL carry by state statue. But an emergency room visit is not a situation that you plan, so most hospitals have policies and proceduces to deal with persons who come in with or without a CPL.

Anyone of us can have a medical condition, because of a medical situation, accident or injury. Education goes a long way, in both CCW carry and disialbity rights knowledge of your rights and responsiblities is essential.

Colleen Edwards
Washington State .

 

[BluesBear]

scenter, Welcome Aboardâ„¢

It's nice to have you join us.

 

[scenter]

CCw and medical conditions

Thank you Bluebear

I hope you continue to recover.

Colleen (scenter)