Should someone with a phobia be refused a firearms license?

[Drache]

A friend of the family had developed a phobia of being outside and being around people. Due to this his firearms license expired even though he still had firearms locked in his gunsafe. The license has been expired for three years and so he has problems with reregistering some of his firearms specifically two handguns although his rifles and shotguns are all fine to reregister once he renews his firearms license.

Now he's gotten the ok from the Canadian Firearms Center to renew his license because he was "cured" of this phobia for two years. The problem being a bunch of people in town have a petition out to try and stop him from getting a firearms license because he had "mental problems"!

Now I have a phobia of being in small enclosed spaces and my step mother has a phobia of spiders, does that mean that both of us should have our firearms licenses taken?

What are your thoughts on the matter?

[Ponch ®]

Oh that should be fun.

Hey, I got an idea. Let's give manic depressives ropes!

[FLG]

I honestly think it depends on if this phobia can cloud his or hers judgement. I dont think we need to worry about people being scared of spiders breaking out a weapon and shooting at it, but who knows? What if this phobia is simply too much for them to act rationally if something were to trigger that persons said phobia.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I think being afraid of spiders and being afraid of humans are 2 different things....call me crazy

I think the towns people have a point
Whats to say that your friend with this "fear" relapses while carrying a weapon?  Remember its not the guns that kill....

[hemigeno]

I dont think we need to worry about people being scared of spiders breaking out a weapon and shooting at it

Depends on the spider, and what weapon is handy... 

[Drache]

yes but it's a phobia, he's not paranoid, nor schizophrenic, none of that "crazy mentality ill" BS, he was just diagnosed as having Agoraphobia (IE being afraid to be outside).

This man fought in Korea and was one of the best hunting guides I know but out of the 57 years he's been alive, 5 of those were couped up in his house. He knows firearms better than anyone else that I know and knows how to use them.

Personally I don't see the danger in it and neither do the RCMP/CFC.

If a cop who shoots a kid by accident and then becomes afraid to pull his weapon can get over his "phobia" and continue on to become an upstanding police officer and eventually retires to become the mayor of town, I can't see why people should fear this old man.

[Ponch ®]

yes but it's a phobia, he's not paranoid, nor schizophrenic, none of that "crazy mentality ill" BS, he was just diagnosed as having Agoraphobia (IE being afraid to be outside).

This man fought in Korea and was one of the best hunting guides I know but out of the 57 years he's been alive, 5 of those were couped up in his house. He knows firearms better than anyone else that I know and knows how to use them.

Personally I don't see the danger in it and neither do the RCMP/CFC.

If a cop who shoots a kid by accident and then becomes afraid to pull his weapon can get over his "phobia" and continue on to become an upstanding police officer and eventually retires to become the mayor of town, I can't see why people should fear this old man.

He's 57 and he fought in Korea? 

[Drache]

yes but it's a phobia, he's not paranoid, nor schizophrenic, none of that "crazy mentality ill" BS, he was just diagnosed as having Agoraphobia (IE being afraid to be outside).

This man fought in Korea and was one of the best hunting guides I know but out of the 57 years he's been alive, 5 of those were couped up in his house. He knows firearms better than anyone else that I know and knows how to use them.

Personally I don't see the danger in it and neither do the RCMP/CFC.

If a cop who shoots a kid by accident and then becomes afraid to pull his weapon can get over his "phobia" and continue on to become an upstanding police officer and eventually retires to become the mayor of town, I can't see why people should fear this old man.

He's 57 and he fought in Korea? 

I mixed up the Korean War and the Vietnam war

[bordin34]

I believe that you should try to educate the townspeople on his phobia. From what you said, it seems like they think he is afraid of people and in a public situation they think he may shoot somebody. However, this does not seem like the case, if they know what this phobia entails, it will give them a better understanding of what he went through, how he recovered, and that he is not mentally unstable. Right now , it seems like they are being ignorant and just assuming.

[Drache]

The problem most have is they think just because you have a phobia of being outside and around people means that you are paranoid and would want to hurt someone.

For this kind man going outside and around people caused his heart to race, palms to get sweaty, butterflies in his stomach, and loss of bodily functions. He didn't snap and try to hurt people.

[Mike DC]

Having some mental issues is not cause for a scarlet letter. 

If the guy hasn't had a violent past (in peacetime at least) and hasn't gotten himself arrested due to his phobias up to now, then I don't see cause for yanking the gun license.

 

[Lowprofile]

I think the townspeople should mind their own f@#$&n' business. 

[Ponch ®]

I still don't know if I'd want a guy that shits his pants when he goes outside handling any type of firearm.

[Chargen69]

I still don't know if I'd want a guy that shits his pants when he goes outside handling any type of firearm.

[Back N Black]

I still don't know if I'd want a guy that shits his pants when he goes outside handling any type of firearm.

Now that's Funny! 

I use to be paranoid to go out side and be around people, the Doc told me to move out of my parents basement and stop smoking weed. I did and been good every since that day.   

[BMOTOXSTAR]

I still don't know if I'd want a guy that shits his pants when he goes outside handling any type of firearm.

You are the best Ponch...

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Yeah,
   Here in America a firearm seller does a check with the FBI (at least that is what they tell me when I complete those forms) and if the US government says you are straight then you get yer' firearm, ya' see. If the government says that you should not have a firearm then that is what you have to respect. From what I understand that info does not stay on file for more than a few days. 
   So if you guys over there have a licence that expires and your government says no, well you have to respect that.I would checkout the laws and make sure of all the details.
   This is a real hard one cause the 2ND AM here in the USA may soon have some changes and it is really hard to say what could happen. Even though you have to respect your laws sometimes it is a hard pill to swallow and you have to do what is right by law.     
   Thank god we have the 2ND AM here in the USA & the NRA.
Man,
    I bet them crooks tat ripped your Mopar off would have gotten a good peppering if you had seen them on your property doing the deed.
   

[Drache]

The government already said he could renew his license only if:
1) He passes his test
2) Provides paperwork stating he had a phobia, got help for it, and that a doctor signs off saying he is fine.

Both things he has already done and sent the paperwork of to the CFC. It's just a bunch of people around town that are trying to stop it by get a petition signed.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  Im sure there is more to this story....

[RallyeMike]

Please tell your friend that everyone here on DC.com likes him very much and anything he says is ok with us. Please remain calm. Very nice man. 

[Lowprofile]

The government already said he could renew his license only if:
1) He passes his test
2) Provides paperwork stating he had a phobia, got help for it, and that a doctor signs off saying he is fine.

Both things he has already done and sent the paperwork of to the CFC. It's just a bunch of people around town that are trying to stop it by get a petition signed.

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  I'm sure there is more to this story....

I guess the right to privacy doesn't mean much in Canada. I bet if the tables were turned and he was getting all up in the townfolks business it would be a different story. There's nothing worse than a self riotous hippocrate.......well, maybe Michael Jackson & Hitler......but that's it! 

[Orange_Crush]

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  Im sure there is more to this story....

YEP...seems to me that if the townspeople have gone so far as to get a friggin' petition signed, we're dealing with more than just a simple case of agoraphobia.  I'm sure that there are other people in that town who own firearms.

[Old Moparz]

Sounds like a great place to live in based on what Drache usually posts.   

[Big Lebowski]

  Remember the picture of little Elian Gonzolez getting hauled away by jack booted thugs? What happens when society develops a phobia for jack booted thugs? I know my good friend Kim looks for every reason under the sun to deny all of you your 2nd amendment rights.
   The first one to post little Elian's picture gets the cookie.

[Big_John]

  Remember the picture of little Elian Gonzolez getting hauled away by jack booted thugs? What happens when society develops a phobia for jack booted thugs? I know my good friend Kim looks for every reason under the sun to deny all of you your 2nd amendment rights.
   The first one to post little Elian's picture gets the cookie.

[Big Lebowski]

  Remember the picture of little Elian Gonzolez getting hauled away by jack booted thugs? What happens when society develops a phobia for jack booted thugs? I know my good friend Kim looks for every reason under the sun to deny all of you your 2nd amendment rights.
   The first one to post little Elian's picture gets the cookie.

   You get the cookie my friend.

[Big_John]

  Remember the picture of little Elian Gonzolez getting hauled away by jack booted thugs? What happens when society develops a phobia for jack booted thugs? I know my good friend Kim looks for every reason under the sun to deny all of you your 2nd amendment rights.
   The first one to post little Elian's picture gets the cookie.

   You get the cookie my friend.

mmmm.... cookie..... mmmm

[Orange_Crush]

   What happens when society develops a phobia for jack booted thugs?

Of course...Jackbooted thugs are our friends!

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Is that a Wasur 10?

[Drache]

Is that a Wasur 10?

Are you talking about the "swat" guy grabbing the kid? If so that's an MP5....

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Thanks man. That gun looks sweet.
It is just weird, all I can find around town is a Yugoslavian Wasurs. A pawn shop has onefor $300. I think I should grab it. Are the rounds for those expensive?

[Forza]

No offense Drache but comparing his phobia to arachnophobia is pretty naive. If he is "cured" of his illness and hasn't had a relapse in 2 years then I don't see an issue with him re-registering his firearms. On the other hand if he isn't cured of this I certainly would think letting him own firearms would be reckless. Here in the US the government checks criminal history to determine if someone is eligible to own a firearm, they don't have a system to check mental health (I wish they would).

[skip68]

   How would all the town people know that he's doing this anyway? ?  ?  Especially if he doesn't talk to many people .     Maybe there is more to this ? ? ?

[Old Moparz]

  How would all the town people know that he's doing this anyway? ?  ?  Especially if he doesn't talk to many people .     Maybe there is more to this ? ? ?

Maybe it's the way he's fired shots from his windows over the years.   

[Big_John]

Still waiting for my cookie...

Seriously, there more to this then we see looking in from the outside. First question I have is why did he lose this license in the first place? The next question I have is what has happened that has pissed off the town's people? How do they all know he is getting his license back? Does this happen with others?

At first glance its seems like a harmless guy with a couple fears would like his license back, but I don't know...

[Drache]

Still waiting for my cookie...

Seriously, there more to this then we see looking in from the outside. First question I have is why did he lose this license in the first place? The next question I have is what has happened that has pissed off the town's people? How do they all know he is getting his license back? Does this happen with others?

At first glance its seems like a harmless guy with a couple fears would like his license back, but I don't know...

1. Canadian Firearms Licenses must be renew every 5 years or they expire. Since he was too afraid to leave the house and it wasn't on his mind, his license expired.
2. He's done nothing to piss off anyone, it's a group of women mainly who want to ban hunting and firearms in out area. They picketed the Rod & Gun Club last year.
3. Well with this guy now walking back around town he's the topic of allot of conversations.

[Big_John]

Still waiting for my cookie...

Seriously, there more to this then we see looking in from the outside. First question I have is why did he lose this license in the first place? The next question I have is what has happened that has pissed off the town's people? How do they all know he is getting his license back? Does this happen with others?

At first glance its seems like a harmless guy with a couple fears would like his license back, but I don't know...

1. Canadian Firearms Licenses must be renew every 5 years or they expire. Since he was too afraid to leave the house and it wasn't on his mind, his license expired.
2. He's done nothing to piss off anyone, it's a group of women mainly who want to ban hunting and firearms in out area. They picketed the Rod & Gun Club last year.
3. Well with this guy now walking back around town he's the topic of allot of conversations.

Now this makes more sense. In that case, I see no reason why he shouldn't have his license back.

[moparsuebear]

Yes

[Shakey]

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  Im sure there is more to this story....

Bingo!

[Big Lebowski]

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  Im sure there is more to this story....

Bingo!

  Maybe he farts too much as well, you know that alone would have the ladies picketing the gun clubs. 

[TK73]

Just out of curiosity... how does a person not leave their house for YEARS and pay their bills?? 

I'm planning on getting a PS3, with blockbuster online delivering movies / games and Pizza Hut sending breakfast I don't ever want to go out in public again either...

Really, shouldn't all of the guns been hocked to pay the water bill last decade??

[2Gunz]

Im all for people having guns and pretty much any gun you can think of.

But at some point logic and risk has to factor into the equation.

To me hes a risk and much more likely to cause harm than anybody else.

Why allow him to have guns?  It doesnt make sense.

[Big Lebowski]

Just out of curiosity... how does a person not leave their house for YEARS and pay their bills?? 

   They probably grow their own indoor vegetables, then they trade with the locals for pizza, videos, lighters, etc.

[hutch]

he should get a gun if he wants one.

Should we let fat people eat candy bars?  Should we let people who cant hear drive cars?  If he is nuts and goes crazy with a gun so what.  That's the very reason why I carry a gun.  To make sure crazy people cant hurt me or my family.

You cant make laws to stop what might happen.  It will happen no matter what the law is. If he wants to kill someone the law is not going to keep him from doing it.  Last I checked murder was breaking a law but some how it still happens.  Odd, maybe we should making DUI a law to stop people from drinking and driving.  Oh wait.  Or maybe we should make smoking or owning pot a crime so we can stop drug use in our kids.  Oh wait....

[Ponch ®]

he should get a gun if he wants one.

Should we let fat people eat candy bars?  Should we let people who cant hear drive cars?  If he is nuts and goes crazy with a gun so what.  That's the very reason why I carry a gun.  To make sure crazy people cant hurt me or my family.

You cant make laws to stop what might happen.  It will happen no matter what the law is. If he wants to kill someone the law is not going to keep him from doing it.  Last I checked murder was breaking a law but some how it still happens.  Odd, maybe we should making DUI a law to stop people from drinking and driving.  Oh wait.  Or maybe we should make smoking or owning pot a crime so we can stop drug use in our kids.  Oh wait....

Can Michael Jackson babysit your kids?

[FLG GF]

I honestly think it depends on if this phobia can cloud his or hers judgement. I dont think we need to worry about people being scared of spiders breaking out a weapon and shooting at it, but who knows? What if this phobia is simply too much for them to act rationally if something were to trigger that persons said phobia.

[gtx6970]

Maybe those people in town know more about him than the CFC does?  Im sure there is more to this story....

I Completey agree. I would prefer to not pass judgement on someone without knowing all the facts.

[RD]

get me an official diagnosis and I can better assess your question.  You say he only has "agoraphobia", but who is to say the psychologist/LCSW/psychiatrist did not diagnose him with something else too?

Agoraphobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of public places or open areas, especially those from which escape could be difficult or help not immediately accessible. Persons with agoraphobia frequently also have panic disorder (not necessarily terrible.. but it sounds that way).

People with agoraphobia characteristically become anxious if they even think about being trapped in a situation where it might be difficult to leave the situation. People with agoraphobia also characteristically avoid the situations which bring them anxiety or panic.

Agoraphobia is highly variable in severity. People with mild agoraphobia often live normal lives by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations. But, in the most severe cases, the victims may be incapacitated and be homebound.

The disorder affects women twice as often as men, tends to start in the mid to late 20's and the onset may appear triggered by a traumatic event.

IMO... agoraphobia patients are not harmful to anyone based upon the diagnosis itself.  The phobia doesnt make someone panic, freak out, and then want to harm other people.  Quite the opposite really.  If they are put into a situation that excites them into a panic (i.e. large place with many people), they will usually attempt to escape the area as quickly as possible or become self-inclusive (introverted) to a point where they will not socialize with anyone.  Kinda like hiding out in a fort and waiting out the siege, except the fort is their body and the hiding place is in their mind.

Since he was in the war, I am wondering if he has a multiple diagnoses which could explain the townsfolk's fear.  He may have told other people what he has been diagnosed with and it may be coming back on him now.

Without knowing all the facts Drache, its hard to assume the severity of his mental issues and, most importantly, the level in which he has been rehabilitated.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Well they let this guy have one......

[Big Lebowski]

he should get a gun if he wants one.

Should we let fat people eat candy bars?  Should we let people who cant hear drive cars?  If he is nuts and goes crazy with a gun so what.  That's the very reason why I carry a gun.  To make sure crazy people cant hurt me or my family.

You cant make laws to stop what might happen.  It will happen no matter what the law is. If he wants to kill someone the law is not going to keep him from doing it.  Last I checked murder was breaking a law but some how it still happens.  Odd, maybe we should making DUI a law to stop people from drinking and driving.  Oh wait.  Or maybe we should make smoking or owning pot a crime so we can stop drug use in our kids.  Oh wait....

Can Michael Jackson babysit your kids?

    Unnecessary roughness, groping below the waist, 15 yard penalty & the perv is ejected from the game.

[2Gunz]

he should get a gun if he wants one.

Should we let fat people eat candy bars?  Should we let people who cant hear drive cars?  If he is nuts and goes crazy with a gun so what.  That's the very reason why I carry a gun.  To make sure crazy people cant hurt me or my family.

You cant make laws to stop what might happen.  It will happen no matter what the law is. If he wants to kill someone the law is not going to keep him from doing it.  Last I checked murder was breaking a law but some how it still happens.  Odd, maybe we should making DUI a law to stop people from drinking and driving.  Oh wait.  Or maybe we should make smoking or owning pot a crime so we can stop drug use in our kids.  Oh wait....

Can Michael Jackson babysit your kids?

Thats crazy, your just inviting trouble and hoping nothing bad happens...... Oh wait thats exactly what we are talking about here.........

[2Gunz]

he should get a gun if he wants one.

Should we let fat people eat candy bars?  Should we let people who cant hear drive cars?  If he is nuts and goes crazy with a gun so what.  That's the very reason why I carry a gun.  To make sure crazy people cant hurt me or my family.

You cant make laws to stop what might happen.  It will happen no matter what the law is. If he wants to kill someone the law is not going to keep him from doing it.  Last I checked murder was breaking a law but some how it still happens.  Odd, maybe we should making DUI a law to stop people from drinking and driving.  Oh wait.  Or maybe we should make smoking or owning pot a crime so we can stop drug use in our kids.  Oh wait....

Firstly the idea that somebody cant hurt you or your family is just because you have a gun or 10 is ludicrous. Assuming you are the worlds best shot, dont sleep, can deflect stray bullets, cannot be tricked, or distracted and are constantly aware of everybody around you.......  The fact remains that you cannot be with all your family 24/7.

And dont get me wrong I think that gun laws only hurt the good and honest people, since the "bad guys" dont follow the rules.

However while I think that most people should freely own weapons, within that there should be boundaries.
And for the same reason that you own a gun, to put the odds in your favor.

My 3 cents....