Can someone whos been discharged with a medical sepperation for PTSD own/buy firearms?

Question

my friend did 8 years active duty(he left because he had a baby and wanted to be with his wife and child more), and is now in the reserves but is about to receive a medical discharge for his PTSD. he, like most if not all military men, likes firearms. hes worried that because of that he wont be allowed to buy any. can he still get them with a discharge for PTSD?

Answer 1

you will have to obtain what they call an 'expungement' in the Act.please see:

http://gunowners.org/o10808.htm

Answer 2

Ah! Go to a gun store, fill out the paperwork and see if you pass the check . . . dont volunteer any information that isn't absolutely necessary. The worst that can happen is that they will say no, and even then you can challenge their decision. As far as the "veteran disarmament act" . . . well the guy was being sarcastic. I gots to admit, I seen this coming right after the VA Tech shootings, when they started pushing the idea that doctor client privelege should be rebuked in favor of background checks for firearms. If it comes down to it, i'd try to set the precedent and sue the shrink that disclosed my records. From what I gather they make you sign a form disclosing the amount of time that the psych evals are available for viewing by the necessary authorities to make their decision as to whether he gets a section 8 discharge . . .  my advice is to limit that time period to a month or less. just long enough for the discharge board to make their decision. yep. that chaps my azz that you are good enough to serve in a war, and get your head all screwed up because they train you to kill, and then you return home and you cant even have a rifle for hunting . . . our way of life is going to h**l

Answer 3

You mean the veteran disarmament act?     sad

Answer 4

You probably know that when people are 5150 (California Law = crazy), they can't get guns for life.  That's likely why you're asking this question.  Interesting question by the way.

5150 is involuntary commitment so I think that's the major issue here.  I'm just not seeing PTSD as ranking up there with being in a padded cell.  I see it as therapy with some meds.  Because PTSD doesn't have that "can't care for his own safety or the safety of others" component, I don't see it as a restriction.

Answer 5

The prohibition on firearms isn't for anybody with a mental disorder. It's only for those who've been judged to be a danger. He might have been to court and been so adjudged, but I'd bet against it.

Answer 6

PTSD is not insanity, it is a medical diagnosis that means he has PTSD,  which is NOT a prohibited condition in itself.  He has every right that the Constitution gives to all citizens to own a firearm.   The medical discharge has been issued to thousands of Vets and in no way stands in his path to firearms ownership.  A mental condition or illness is NOT the same as being adjudged insane, he is obviously not insane as he can ask intelligent questions of other people.  Far to many people believe that a mental illness , condition, disorder or disease is the same thing as being insane it is NOT!   If anyone tells him otherwise, its a load of horse pucky!