? Neuropathy and Anti-Depressants ?

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45Frank

45Frank

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What would you do?
I have had neuropathy for many yrs now and used to take neurontoin but had to stop because it was interfering with my heart. So my GP started me on xanax and it worked very well, better than the neurontoin.
I stopped taking it a long time ago because I worried that with a CCP and the regular purchasing of guns it would come back to get someday.
I did not take it for depression but for my hands and feet and really need it again. Does anyone think this will ever come back and haunt me because it is listed as a anti-depressant?
Does any one here take such a medicine and carry or purchase firearms?

Antidepressants: SSRI’s and SNRI’s "may increase the neurotransmitters in the spinal cord and reduce pain signals". How this works isn’t well understood, but it’s important to keep in mind that antidepressants cause dramatic changes with neurotransmitters in the brain and are meant to treat mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
 
I take morphine, Venlafaxine, Gabapentin, and Trazodone every day for pain control and to treat the depression that comes with chronic pain.

I carry everytime I leave the house and purchase firearms every time my wife says I can.
 
It really depends on who is in charge of the information and regulations regarding it.
I think your OK in the short term but remember a large portion of the public wants more not less regulations, especially on guns.
 
Cannibul said:
I take morphine, Venlafaxine, Gabapentin, and Trazodone every day for pain control and to treat the depression that comes with chronic pain.

I carry everytime I leave the house and purchase firearms every time my wife says I can.
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I'm worried about the future paper trail for the anti-depressants. I thought there was a question about depressants on one of the forms?
 
I take 5mg of Valium daily to help control vertigo. That is a very low dosage that my Doctor prescribed in 2001. Valium is considered a anti- depressant. I seriously doubt that the taking of Xanax in moderation will give you any grief, gun buying wise.
 
You're asking in the legal forum, so I imagine the concern is about the law. Since there is nothing on a 4473 purchase form about legal prescription drugs or people that have never been committed or found incompetent, the likely answer is that it doesn't matter. What does your CCL say?

The other side to this question is whether your actions with a firearm could be complicated by the fact of what you are taking. If you have to use your CCW, will there be a tox screen afterwards? Will a doctor's prescription prevent a grand jury from looking at your actions in an unfavorable light? It may be hard to say under what circumstances these drugs could make a judge believe that you were doing wrong by carrying - but you'd think the lack of specific regulations would cover you.

The other complication is whether your medications could actually put you at risk for doing something your wouldn't normally. Do some research on paradoxical reactions to Xanax and rebound. You'll need to make your own choices when it comes to your competence.
 
The thing is is if they ever start to ask about mental health on these forms in the future I worry that when I go get the letter from dr. which you have to get here in NC it may exclude me. Even though I wouldn't take it for mental health it is a mental health drug.
I never checked the CHP laws here in NC and will do that.
Thanks all.
 
45Frank said:
The thing is is if they ever start to ask about mental health on these forms in the future I worry that when I go get the letter from dr. which you have to get here in NC it may exclude me. Even though I wouldn't take it for mental health it is a mental health drug.
I never checked the CHP laws here in NC and will do that.
Thanks all.
Click to expand...
In most if not all states, one can be charged with driving under the influence if you are found to be above set thresholds for drugs or alcohol, without regard to prescription. My state will void my ccw over a DUI. As to paper trails, at least nationally, I wouldn't expect this effort from the Trump admin.
 
my understanding is that the mental illness provision is for people involuntarily committed to metal health care by doctors orders for two weeks or more, at least here in WA. And 4473 only banned use of recreational drugs, and prescribed schedule 2? drugs. But you never know, it may come back, and be retroactive. You cant tell what the politicians will plan, but I would take care of yourself first.
 
As a disabled veteran, I take Vicodin, Venlafaxine, Gabapentin, and Mirtazapine every day for pain control and to treat the depression that comes with chronic pain.

I carry every time I leave the house and purchase firearms every time my bank account says I can.

(Thanks Cannabul - I copied & pasted 95% of what you said.)
 
A friend of mine takes a fairly stout combination of antidepressants and painkillers. He normally carries when out of the house... but every now and then I'll pick him up when we go out for lunch and he'll tell me he's not carrying that day. Ordinarily he feels he's sharp enough to handle a shooting situation properly. Some days he's not feeling sharp enough to make a proper judgement call.

It's his decision to make, and one that caused him considerable distress the first few times.

But I always tell him not to worry, if robbers or terrorists attack the BBQ place I'll pass him my backup gun...
 
The thing is is if they ever start to ask about mental health on these forms in the future...
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That last word is the clincher. Anything is possible. As of now, however, it appears you have no current issues, at least, at the federal level. I spend time in NC each year, but I didn't know one needs medical clearance to acquire/carry a firearm there. So, I have no idea by what standards physicians go by when "clearing" a patient to do so there.
 
^^ Okay. I was figuring it was, based on this line from the OP himself..

The thing is is if they ever start to ask about mental health on these forms in the future I worry that when I go get the letter from dr. which you have to get here in NC it may exclude me.
Click to expand...
 
OP: neither of the drugs you are taking are antidepressants. And even if they were, there are no categories of legal drugs that restrict your rights. The only 4473 requirement is that you weren't committed. Seriously, some 20% of the country/the developed world has had some sort of psychiatric necessity. Also I don't know your state, but drugs that might affect your driving (DUI) might affect your CCW rights.

Xanax might steady your hand while shooting, if taken at a moderate dose. So be aware of the risks that you might be worse without it...

I've been on most of these drugs at some time or another. Just clonazepam (Xanax-lite) as needed now, and that's once every 6 months or so.
 
Snyper said:
It's not needed unless required as a condition for employment.
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Not true. I have now had to get a permit three times. My initial and two renewals and every time the last a few yrs back I/you must get a letter from my Dr. saying I/you are fit to carry a firearm.
You also must sign a letter to release all mental health records, they only do one search here in WNC because I have went to the hospital and picked up the letter myself to speed things up.
 
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If you need the medications to live a good life, take the medications. If you are following your doctors' advice carefully you aren't doing any wrong.

I cannot possibly tell you that concerns over medical history being misused by your state or federal government are irrational, but I will say that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you're being denied your rights because of your prescribed meds, you'll have A LOT of very angry, very motivated company with you in the fight to rectify that. There are SO many people who use medications of these sorts, as directed, and considering the advancing age of us in the "gun culture 2.0/3.0..." generations, more and more every day will join those ranks. That's a powerful political force who won't take such infringements lying down.
 
45Frank said:
Not true. I have now had to get a permit three times. My initial and two renewals and every time the last a few yrs back I/you must get a letter from my Dr. saying I/you are fit to carry a firearm.
You also must sign a letter to release all mental health records, they only do one search here in WNC because I have went to the hospital and picked up the letter myself to speed things up.
Click to expand...
http://pistolinstructornc.com/nc-requirements/
NC Requirements to get a Concealed Carry Handgun Permit
  • Must be 21 years of age.
    clip5.jpg
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Resident of NC for at least 30 Days
  • No physical or mental infirmity
  • Not under indictment for a felony, no outstanding warrants
  • No criminal record of conviction of felony (See Restoration Article)
  • No misdemeanor crimes of violence
  • No orders of protection against you
  • Not a user of drugs, alcohol or controlled substances
  • Not lacking mental capacity, not mentally ill
  • If service in Armed Forces has Honorable Discharge
  • No pending criminal charges or trials
  • No DWI’s within three years
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I know of no state laws which require any Dr's letters.
NC Sheriffs have lots of leeway in setting their own requirements.
http://www.co.randolph.nc.us/sheriff/ccw.html

The Sheriff may require, if necessary, any documentation required to complete either of these application processes.
Click to expand...

Signing a release form for mental health court records really has nothing to do with my previous statement about medical records.
That only became a statutory requirement last year:
https://randolphso.permitium.com/
Effective December 1, 2015

North Carolina General Statute 14-404(e1) requires applicants to sign a release of court orders concerning mental health and capacity for pistol purchase permits.
Click to expand...
 
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