A guy that I work with regularly talks to me about getting his CCW permit. Because I know this guy well, I also know that he is not mentally stable and is the LAST person that I would want carrying a loaded weapon. I am all about 2nd Amendment rights but what would you do if someone you knew like this was going to get their CCW permit and didn't have any disqualifying factors on the books? Thanks for the advice.
If I knew he had stretches that he was suicidal or threatened others, call the cops. If he gets committed that would greatly restrict his ability to purchase firearms and should keep him from getting a CCW.
I say do nothing but try and call him out when he makes stupid comments and see if he really means what he says. Maybe go shooting with him, maybe the idiot just needs a mentor of such? I don't know but trying to keep him from getting his permit because he talks stupid isn't right!!
NCH
I'm not trying to keep anyone from trying to get their permit, just the opposite. I regularly stand up for gun owners and encourage the shooting sports and CCW with facts instead of opinions. Believe me when I say that this is just one of those guys that scares me because of his ideas and opinions and I think that we would end up seeing him on the news. He has not broken the law as far as I know and I'm just wondering if it is my place to say anything and if so would I even have a case? I just know I would feel terrible if I just let it go and somebody got hurt. Thank you all for your advice, this has been bothering me for a while.
Do nothing. Unless he has a history of institutional care or is under the care of a mental health professional, he has done nothing that would disqualifiy him.
Last in the door syndrome - if everyone whom someone else thought should not have a gun were denied a gun, none of us would have guns.
Do nothing. Unless he has a history of institutional care or is under the care of a mental health professional, he has done nothing that would disqualifiy him.
Last in the door syndrome - if everyone whom someone else thought should not have a gun were denied a gun, none of us would have guns.
That's a tough situation. Unless you're a psychiatrist.... If it's just an opinion, I would think there's nothing you can do except watch this guy at all times. But if he's actually made threats or done something or been diagnosed as unstable, that's different.
Nobody wants an unstable person with a gun, of course. But what if some anti decided to say you were unstable, just to keep you from your right to carry..... Unless there is something more than your opinion, I doubt there's anything you can do.
CW
I agree you have no right to interfere here. Lots of people talk stupid but are totally harmless. If the truth be known all of us could be considered "crazy", or "strange" depending on the shrink you speak to. I say do nothing but try and call him out when he makes stupid comments and see if he really means what he says. Maybe go shooting with him, maybe the idiot just needs a mentor of such? I don't know but trying to keep him from getting his permit because he talks stupid isn't right!!
I had a friend that I felt the same way about. He had a bad temper and felt he was just wanting a permit to " be cool ". I talked to him about how serious it was and the consequences of pulling a gun on someone that wasn't warrented. He got his permit.
I didn't try to talk him out of it, I just wanted to give him some food for thought.
Lots of talkers ... and few of them do what they claim they have done or will do ... they just talk. I wouldn't worry, this guy probably will never take the time or lay down the money.
If he's that stupid or crazy he won't have a permit very long,sometimes it's easier to get them than keep them,and if he's onea them guys that after he gets it goes around showing it off it he may end up doing something stupid and getting it revoked
What does your state require in terms of CCW issuance? Is there training required? The instructor might figure it out, but you never know.
You might have to inform the issuing authority. Get it on record that you question that he is fit to carry firearms.
How well do you know this guy? Have you known him a long time? If you haven't, it's quite possible that his past is documented somehow. If he's out there like you say, it's possible that his instability has manifested somehow at some point in his life.
On what authority or professional basis should his opinion be taken?
If he has no record or professional diagnosis of instability, it' not your business to make that call. We all know someone like that and for all we know they may be a ccw holder. Fortunately the judgments of others who don't agree with our different personalities do not count unless unless it happens to 12 jurors. :hand5:
I would be careful about throwing stones...because chances are someone out there has/will question your ability/mental stability/behavior when carrying a firearm.
If he has not demonstrated any criminal behavior and has not been committed/diagnosed/treated for a mental condition and meets training requirements (if there are any in your locality), he gets a permit.
Can you describe his mental instability? Because I bet the Brady people will think we are all unstable for keeping thousands, if not tens of thousands of ammunition at home; or owning more than one pistol, shotgun, or rifle...or <gasp!> carrying one for protection. It's a matter of perspective.
Innocent until PROVEN guilty. There is due process for a reason. Yes, a few slip through until they themselves prove the point. But, accusation isn't sufficient. Nor should it be.
if a person decides that they are going to act out violently, it's not gonna matter if they have a permit to carry or not. Kinda goes along with the thought that if we outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. to someone with that intent, not being allowed to own or carry would only be an inconvenience, it would do little or nothing to prevent them from acting out his/her plan.
Does he have a handgun already? Has he already passed most of the basic requirements such as mental health, etc? How well do you know him? Would you go to the range with him?
I am picturing a big mouth, bully type based on your original post. Does he put his money where his mouth is or is he all bark and no bite? If he truly is unstable and he is of the age to obtain a handgun he probably has some disqualifying history for CHL. If he is just a loud mouth braggart, call his bluff (preferably now before he gets his license).
I agree with most of what has been said. Leave it alone. We already have enough "gun police" among us trying to keep everyone else, except themselves, unarmed. If he is truly unfit to carry a gun, hopefully the system that is in place will detect that.
Two of my own friends want guns to carry, one already bought one with my guideance, and the other is doing the same very soon. I didnt really think of either of them as "good gun carriers" as they both are new to guns and have never owned one of their own.
However, I was once the same, and I remember my mother not wanting me to own guns.
Well, I have a similar situation with a friend/acquaintance. He isn't getting his CCW yet, but is planning to purchase a couple firearms at a show soon. Four other people have expressed serious concerns and discomfort over the idea. On the positive side, two of those people have considered, though probably not seriously enough, becoming gun owners and even getting their CCW's because of this.
I agree that you have no legal basis to intervene, and I agree that intervening based on a gut feeling -- no matter how accurate -- is a very dangerous path to tread. So I agree you probably can't intervene. All the same, I think this ridiculous hyper-exaggeration of individualism that says anything he does is his business, not yours, is, well, silly. We live in communities, not individualistic vacuums. So, while you cannot and probably should not prevent his purchasing of a firearm or getting his CCW, I don't think that it's because it's "none of your business."
If my friend ever does get his CCW, it will become my business in a hurry, as I'll be on edge and in defensive mode anytime he appears to be losing control of himself...
I know a guy who tends to get himself in trouble due to his lack of self control in regards to aggressive driving, etc. He got his CCW license 3 years ago, but never carries unless he's going camping. He doesn't see the need to carry around town.
Maybe the individual in the OP won't take carrying seriously once he gets his CCW.
Interesting. I often see posts on such a subject that say in effect, "Who will determine one's qualifications regarding mental capabilities or maturity?" They often go on to say that it is not one's business until someone breaks the law.
Now aren't we putting our own opinions in the place to determine who should and who should not have a CCW or a firearm?
Whose place it is might be open to discussion, but it is not the OP. If the guy is dangerous call the police. If you cannot determine it enough to prove it, then leave it alone.
How is he crazy? Freqent rages? Talks about wanting to blow bad guys away? I would have him read Massad Ayoob's book "In the Gravest Extreme" and try to clue him in to the responsibilities, legal, moral and ethical, that come with carrying a gun for self defense.
If he talks about getting his ccw just change the subject. I have a friend that I worry about carrying a gun, but really it's none of my business. I cannot decide what is right for him. Most people who aren't serious about the responsability never go through the bother of obtaining one anyway. I have seen more than a few "big talker". I may be reading into this but it sounds like you told him you carry. If you don't trust him with a gun than why give him this info? Just a thought.
There is nothing for you to do or say about the matter.
Unless he's been adjudicated to be committed to a mental institution, he does not qualify to have his ccw denied. (at least on those grounds)
Now there are a lot of people I feel don't need to possess a gun or have a ccw for that matter... but we don't get to make the call.
My only advice is to be careful around him. Especially after he obtains his ccw. There's nothing that says you have to hang out with him and be friends.
There have been several people I have quit hanging out with since I obtained my CCW. They were friends of my brother-in-law. Now days if I'm over at his house and certain people show up, my wife and I say our goodbyes and go home.
I'm not the one to tell my brother-in-law who he should hang out with and I don't want to be around them so we just make an excuse to leave and that's it.
i got a guy at work that for awhole week talked about how he wanted to buy a gun for himself(not to carry,just to have for plinking).he seems like he's still "dazed and confused" from his smoking days.i did tell him that if he really wants one,that he should get some professional training on handgun safety and such(mainly because he has never fired one before).turns out a week later,he forgot about it and hasn't talked about it since(that was about a month ago)
i don't really have anything against him owning a firearm,it's just that being a bit forgetful about important things that it might be best if he just rents them at the shooting range for now.
as far as the guy that the OP is talking about might be all talk and just either never get his CCW or if he does,he might loss interest..
Meaning? Is he weird, or a true diagnosis from the DSM?
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