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- Thread starter KB_TheDireWolf
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Well....there are no set out laws with regard to mental health and getting your pal. If you answer truthfully on the pal application where it asks, then they may just give you a call....may ask you to come into the cfos office for an interview....might ask you to get a letter from your doctor saying that youre stable. One way or the other, answer the questions truthfully. If they find out you lied, its going to be more of a problem than if you were up front about it. Theres nothing in the rules that says youre automatically disqualified from holding a pal just because you have a formal diagnosis of anything.
And falsifying your application for a (federal) firearms license is going to result in much greater penalties, and right now, not in some nebulous future that will not likely ever come to pass.
Answer the five questions truthfully, and accurately.
The mental health question may prove to be a hiccough, or it may not.
If it does, they will want a letter from a doctor regarding whether you are a threat to yourself or anyone else or not.
A GP will be sufficient, if he is familiar with your history.
They will be more easily swayed if you are undergoing some form of treatment.
Answer the five questions truthfully, and accurately.
The mental health question may prove to be a hiccough, or it may not.
If it does, they will want a letter from a doctor regarding whether you are a threat to yourself or anyone else or not.
A GP will be sufficient, if he is familiar with your history.
They will be more easily swayed if you are undergoing some form of treatment.
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I think there's a difference between going to your GP and saying "Doc, I'm in and out of funks. Maybe a happy pill might help?" as a journey of discovery in why you feel the way that you do.
As opposed to a formal diagnosis of a mental disorder for which you are or have been treated and monitored because there might be / have been some real dire consequences if you aren't weren't.
To me, the PAL question is for the latter. I consider the former to be no ones business but your own.
May as well ask how often the applicant gets mean shitfaced drunk as well, otherwise - that'd be just as valid.
As opposed to a formal diagnosis of a mental disorder for which you are or have been treated and monitored because there might be / have been some real dire consequences if you aren't weren't.
To me, the PAL question is for the latter. I consider the former to be no ones business but your own.
May as well ask how often the applicant gets mean shitfaced drunk as well, otherwise - that'd be just as valid.
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I thjnk youre on the right track with the proactive letter. It shows that youve done your research and that you think things out. If they have any questions, theyll already have your docs contact info right in front of them if they feel the letter isnt enough. In actual fact, I doubt most of them could give a damn. They know full well that there are 10s of thousands of gun owners out there who are depressed but dont dare go seek help for fear of losing their guns. Somehow they all managed to not shoot anyone today. I think theyre much more interested in covering their own butts if you were to do something. As long as they have someone else credible to blame (your doc), then its probably rubber stamp time as far as theyre concerned. Now...as far as your depression goes...wait until you get your first credit card bill after a good day at the gun shop. Not THATS depressing. My prescription for happyness after that is many many trips to the range.
well I don't even own a credit card or even applied for one so I'm all right.I thjnk youre on the right track with the proactive letter. It shows that youve done your research and that you think things out. If they have any questions, theyll already have your docs contact info right in front of them if they feel the letter isnt enough. In actual fact, I doubt most of them could give a damn. They know full well that there are 10s of thousands of gun owners out there who are depressed but dont dare go seek help for fear of losing their guns. Somehow they all managed to not shoot anyone today. I think theyre much more interested in covering their own butts if you were to do something. As long as they have someone else credible to blame (your doc), then its probably rubber stamp time as far as theyre concerned. Now...as far as your depression goes...wait until you get your first credit card bill after a good day at the gun shop. Not THATS depressing. My prescription for happyness after that is many many trips to the range.
What's going to slow down my shooting is going to have to reload 303 British....
FALover
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Manic Depression/Bi-Polar Disorder is more common than one might think. If you have been diagnosed with a mental health ailment and are under a doctors care there should be little to worry about. Saying " pills having no effect on me, and just said screw them so there out of the picture" might indicate to the powers that be that you are a hostile patient. That could raise 'red flags' and be of some concern. If one (or two) medications do not work well, try another. Staying on my meds have been a tremendous benefit to my health, general well being and let me keep custody of my kids during a nasty divorce. The firearms aspect was also brought up at that debacle and as I was following a medicinal regiment the judge chucked those baseless accusations out the door. Every time I renew my RPAL I answer all questions truthfully as anything else is just a reason to question my motives. Forty eight years of firearms ownership is something I pride myself on and I will be damned if I would throw that away because I thought I knew better than numerous medical practitioners.
p.s. Remember that you have to list a couple of references when you apply for a PAL/RPAL. If by chance one is asked anything about your state of mind and the answer is not to the interviewers liking, expect delays.
p.s. Remember that you have to list a couple of references when you apply for a PAL/RPAL. If by chance one is asked anything about your state of mind and the answer is not to the interviewers liking, expect delays.
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FALover
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Depending on the course of treatment and medicines prescribed, you may not feel any changes for months. "kinda ran out" is not how the drugs work. Some meds need to get a hold of their assigned problem, build up a decent support base before they work 100% and then away you go. The changes may not seem noticeable to you but to use a automotive analogy, if you drive your car every day you do not notice the wear in the braking system. Someone borrows your car and the first thing they notice is the brake pedal at the floor before the car stops. The meds work quite the same. You may not notice a day to day change but your doctor will (or will not) if they see you every couple of weeks or monthly.
If I seem to ramble on about this subject it is because I did the same things forty years ago. Thought I new better, messed up my first marriage. Was treated for a few years, thought I was 'cured' and stopped treatment. Not a good choice as the meds have a half life which can give oneself a sense of being ok while they slowly leave the scene of the chemical imbalance. The off and on when taking long term medications is just as bad as being untreated. I am content with how things have been with my brain but I sure am pizzed about how my physical health has let me down. Still, I have been told by others that I am quite upbeat considering everything.
Anyhoo, I wish you all the best with your goals and aspirations.
harbl_the_cat
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It sounds to me that you're experiencing (or have experienced) what in the past was considered simply "teenage angst."
Not to belittle if you actually have a medical condition (since I have no qualifications to diagnose as such), but in my teenage/early adult years years, I was also depressed and even suicidal, but that didn't keep me from joining the army and 8 years later, getting my PAL, an if I was capable of pulling that off 18-19 years ago, I think you could today too.
The thing is, most older men these day's can't empathize what it's like growing up an an era when the entire establishment and every institution in society is actively working against you, which for most young men over the past 2-3 decades, is exactly what has happened.
If you are feeling depressed, you probably have a reason to and, being a teenager still (I assume you're 18 - which though an adult, is still technically a teenager. Just go to any porn site with under 20 "actresses"), having an entire society shame, belittle, and otherwise devalue you as a person during the most formative years when you're least capable of defending or asserting yourself, is likely a major contributor to your depression.
Now, that said, I wouldn't lie about anything on your PAL, but rather, I would encourage you to do everything in your power to get it and to dive headfirst into the broader shooting community.
I've been shooting as a civilian shooter coming up on 10 years (6 years prior with the military) and without a doubt the biggest beneficial aspects of shooting - be it military, hunting, target shooting, or collecting - are the fraternity you establish AND the empowerment you gain by being a gun owner.
Our progressive, re-engineered society wants men to be beta-male, mangina, simps.
Sheep, complacent to the will of the state or the corporation. It does not want strong, independent, alpha-male, trail-blazers. The former is essential to globalism, the later is essential to nationalism and regionalism which our leaders and the entire establishment vehemently reject.
You are blessed, however, to be coming of age in an era where the region and the nation take precedence of the globe (Trump, Brexit, etc.), and in this era, young men of character will be in demand unlike any before.
Shooting empowers you by instilling withing you virtues our socialist, globalist society lacks. Namely - self control, patience, reason, persistence, and personal accountability. Every independent man must possess these qualities. No great man has ever lived without them.
I think this is the real reason why we have gun control in this country. The owners of this country don't want free-thinking, independent men. Neither do they want great men either, less their authority over the land be challenged.
I pray this serves and inspiration and encouragement to you to persist and get your PAL, no matter the cost. Because there is so much more to the gun owning community than owning guns.
There is the prospect of becoming something so much more than what you are today.
The first time I shot a gun, a no-nothing 17 year old Private Recruit in the Reserves shooting a C9 machine gun, I was instantly transformed.
Over the progression of my years, shooting, both in the military and as a civilian, I've grown in ways I could have never imagined when I was 17 (today I'm 33).
I've accomplished a lot in that time (built up an excellent career, a thriving business, and a growing, healthy family) and I know a major contributor to my personal success has been the virtues I developed as a committed shooter and gun enthusiast.
I can't say with certainty, but as a young guy, even with a history of "chronic depression," I think if you can get your PAL, find a fraternity of like minded shooters, including some wiser, more experienced men to gain wisdom from, you stand a very good chance of being similarly successful.
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I was thinking along the same lines as harble. Were you actually diagnosed as clinically depressed? Feel free not to answer that 
Your description sounds to me like you're a pretty regular teenager trying figure out yourself and your place in the world.
Your description sounds to me like you're a pretty regular teenager trying figure out yourself and your place in the world.
yes I was diagnosed with clinical depression.I was thinking along the same lines as harble. Were you actually diagnosed as clinically depressed? Feel free not to answer that
Your description sounds to me like you're a pretty regular teenager trying figure out yourself and your place in the world.
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Dmay
Member
Well no wonder, you're shooting a pink gun for goodness sakes!
But seriously: There is a very real faction among proffesionals who truly believe that "clinical depression", or depression as a result of some physical condition, doesn't exist. They even claim the diagnosis was invented by Upjohn to develop sales for their newly invented, at that time, drug Xanax (alprazolam). If you seriously wish to put effort into an alternative way of dealing with your problems, I'd like to suggest checking out Dr Peter Breggin. He has some excellent material and approaches these kinds of things from a different angle than many doctors, and especially psychiatrists.
Anyway, I apologise for the complete derail, just a small chance I could help somebody else.
Back to shooting: get your PAL and start spending money!....oops,....I mean, having fun!
But seriously: There is a very real faction among proffesionals who truly believe that "clinical depression", or depression as a result of some physical condition, doesn't exist. They even claim the diagnosis was invented by Upjohn to develop sales for their newly invented, at that time, drug Xanax (alprazolam). If you seriously wish to put effort into an alternative way of dealing with your problems, I'd like to suggest checking out Dr Peter Breggin. He has some excellent material and approaches these kinds of things from a different angle than many doctors, and especially psychiatrists.
Anyway, I apologise for the complete derail, just a small chance I could help somebody else.
Back to shooting: get your PAL and start spending money!....oops,....I mean, having fun!
An AR style rifle in my hands, and its going to be a good day.
Looks like the sort of photo that turns up on the social media...
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Its a screenshot from a video I had taken. That was an awesome day, frist time using a ar style rifle.
An AR style rifle in my hands, and its going to be a good day.
Looks like the sort of photo that turns up on the social media...
And also I have transition glasses so, everytime it's sunny out they turn black no matter what. Hence why my glasses are shades in the picture.
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I didn't paint it Pink! That still was a nice gun to shoot.
Meds haven't had a effect on me. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has however. Just learning how to deal with being autistic as well.
An AR style rifle in my hands, and its going to be a good day.
Looks like the sort of photo that turns up on the social media...
What makes that gun AR style? Considering that is a XCR and non restricted. Far from the restricted AR15.
Honestly I would tone down on what you disclose on forums. Police do monitor these sites. Not really great when trying to apply for a firearm license. Less is more.
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Pills do nothing without therapy or treatment to manage. Can't just take pills and expect them to work. You need to do your part with them as well.
I have tired 5 different meds over the whole course of my depression. Hence why I find it pointless to take them since they have no effect. What has was Transcranial magnetic stimulation. For a whole month they fired magnetic waves into my brain, trying to reactive neurons in my brain. I have only recently said to myself it must have been something because I'm actually at school and haven't had a major depressive episode in 5 months. Still hasn't cured my bad memory and my logical blunt personality I have. Ugh, I'm upfront and direct there isn't a filter that goes hunh this might hurt somebody feelings. I state a fact, mom takes as a insult is the usual one.
Cannot afford therapy, and the group therapy I've done was with kids way more f'ed then I was. Girl talking about trying to commit suicide the night before is something I really wish I could forget man.
A major thing is my mom has spina bifida, there is no in home services that she can afford to help. I have to put on her socks anytime we go somewhere etc. She is losing her hearing and has only %30 left due to a Chiari malformation.
All in all, my experience with the health care system for young people with depression has been a complete crack shoot. Only good was the TMS treatments but, that was coming from the U of C!
So shes disabled but you continue to make her life harder by being rude to her and insulting her? You really need to grow up. Also If you think therapy or treatment is useless you haven't found the right style for you. But what do I know. What you done As a kid. Have you try anything recently? or just because the past you gave up on trying? Your 18 years old, so their for an Adult.
I cannot say I ever attended group therapy. Honestly I wish they don't grant you a PAL.
Okay, anything that shoots a .223 or 5.56 and looks like a AR is a AR style rifle to me.
I am a ww2 buff, so top guns for me are Lee Enfield, M1 Carbine and Garand, cool one is the Johnston rifle, Arisaka are pretty neat. Being able to shoot a STG 44 would be awesome, BAR, Johnston light machine gun, K31's are cool. One day STV 40 and G43 will be mine. What me to keep going?
Please note I have edited most of my old post timing them down.
All Im looking for is others experiences when applying for their pal and having depression.
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Pretty lame mentality. Sounds like an anti. If you think if it shoots 223 its a AR. You know why the XCR is non restricted, OR HOW your able to hold it clearly not at a range. BECAUSE its NOT a AR15.
Yeah I got depression but I ain't on 5 medications. Also I seak help and treatment for mine. If your on or were on 5 medications even to me that's a red flag of shouldn't own firearms.
Also posting a WTB when not having a firearm license and depression is a quick way to RCMP at your door.
I think firearms are not something you should have ATM.
