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Post by Jamie.g on Apr 14, 2017 18:33:39 GMT
Hello all. Copied and reposted here. I'd posted on another forum which I thought was uk based:
ADHD and firearms (diagnosis and eligibility for licensure/certification)
Hello all, 1st post!
I'm currently undergoing tests for a possible ADHD diagnosis. I identify and relate massively to the inattentive and non impulsive type. I'm only after a diagnosis so I can get the support to iron out the the procrastination, distraction, poor organisation problems I've always had. I'm intelligent but disorganised and always felt that I've never lived up to my potential. On to my query...
I am based in the UK and have my firearms and shotgun certificates. I am and always have been a responsible shooter, I am a qualified shotgun safety officer with basc and the cpsa. I have never committed any crimes related to violence, I am not aggressive, short tempered, impulsive, irresponsible or give.any indication that I could be unsafe to own and use firearms. The person who has carried out an initial 'assessment ' if you can call it that said that if I am diagnosed there is a chance I could lose my guns, especially if I am prescribed stimulant medication.Β
I can understand if there was cause for concern if there is a high risk of misuse of firearms and violent /aggressive behaviour behave there isn't. Now my dilemma is do I continue with the assessment process and risk being prevented from pursuing my hobby or stop it and continue with living the rest of my days with the frustration of coping with my ADHD symptoms ?
Help please!
Jamie
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Post by marionk on Apr 21, 2017 12:16:25 GMT
There is no real help out there, including medication, so my advice is drop it. (eta: assuming that ADHD is automatic license revokement, or nearly so.)
I am facing a similar dilemma with sleep problems, and driving. I suspect I have narcolepsy, and while I should be able to successfully argue that I have always had it and know how to avoid it affecting my driving, and am therefore safe to drive as long as I am not forced to, I don't have that much faith in the DVLA seeing sense, especially when narcolepsy is specifically named as a condition that you have to inform them about, whether it affects your driving or not.
I love driving, and a lot of my hobbies, especially the ones that involve social contact, require that I can drive and have access to a car, so if I were to lose my license it would be very bad.
Not to mention the fact that in this day and age not having a driving license alone makes it very difficult to get work, add ADHD to that and . . .
I'm pretty sure that even narcolepsy medications aren't likely to help with my ADHD or sleep problems any more than increasing my protein helps, so if it comes to the choice I will drop it (and stick with the high protein diet).
Increasing my protein intake has not so far helped with distraction or poor organisation problems, but inasmuch as it helps with stress, it does help with task avoidance and procrastination. Medication doesn't help with 'internal distraction' or organisation problems either.
eta, yet again: I am also assuming that, like me when driving, you have no problem applying adequate concentration to be safe when using a gun.
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Post by roland on Apr 23, 2017 10:13:06 GMT
Hi Jamie.g Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply, This is an interesting question for people with ADHD because the new system means that while the police will request factual medical information from your GP, it seems to me that room has been left for doctors and police to decide how to act based upon their own opinions and knowledge, or lack of knowledge, about ADHD. Here's what I've found out: 1. The Home Office did revise their guidance on firearms licensing law in April last year and they have placed a responsibility on the local constabulary to ensure that everybody applying for, or renewing, firearms and shotgun certificates is medically fit to have a certificate. The application form requires the applicant to give consent to the sharing of factual medical information between your GP and the police both during the application process and following the grant of the certificate while it remains valid. 2. If you have a relevant medical condition then the police may ask you to obtain a written medical report. Here is the list of medical conditions that the Home Office wants applicants to include on the firearms application (as you will see the last "condition" leaves the field wide open): a. Acute Stress reaction or acute reaction to the stress caused by a trauma b. Suicidal thoughts or self harm c. Depression or anxiety d. Mania, bipolar disorder or a psychotic illness e. A personality disorder f. A neurological condition: for example, Multiple Scherosis, Parkinson's or Huntington's diseases, or epilepsy g. Alcohol or drug abuse h. Any other mental or physical condition which may affect the safe possession of firearms or shotguns 3. The guidance says that the fact that the applicant has received treatment in the past for certain illnesses or conditions, such as depression or stress, does not make them automatically unsuitable to possess firearms but it is a factor to be considered along with all other evidence relating to their character and history. In such cases the police must take account of the latest medical opinion and pay particular attention to whether the condition is likely to recur. 4. According to the Home Office's guidance, the police upon receipt of the report may reach their own conclusions as to whether or not you are fit to have a certificate based upon their own knowledge and experience or they make take advice from the force medical officer or an independent medical practitioner in cases where the medical information provided is difficult to understand or its significance in terms of the possession of a certificate is unclear. 5. The BMA(British Medical Association) have written guidance for GP's that suggests how they can respond to the request for medical reports and also provides sample letters that GP's can use and unfortunately the second sample letter gives the GP the option to refuse to provide a report because it seeks an opinion on matters falling outside their medical expertise "namely assessment of behavioural and personality disorders." Anyway having written all of the above, I will say that it is important to remember that if you are diagnosed with ADHD, you will have had ADHD all your life, and yet you are a qualified shotgun safety officer so clearly ADHD has not affected your suitability to own firearms. Here are links to the relevant information: 1. Home Office guide on firearms licensing law2. BMA GP support information for Firearms licensing process
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jamieg
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Post by jamieg on Jul 28, 2017 14:00:54 GMT
Hello aΔΊl Just a quick update to round off this thread: I got my formal diagnosis of adult ADD innattentive type. I discussed concerns 're my hobby with the nurse specialist and she was great. She provided a separate report for the firearms department describing my symptoms and difficulties, and confirming that she has no concerns about my continuing use of firearms.
I take most things in my stride but I was actually really quite touched by that extra little bit my nurse did for me.
Happy days!
I still have to meet with firearms licencing but I feel so much more reassured about everything now.
Jamie
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Post by Rob w on Apr 21, 2018 11:45:29 GMT
Hi, how did this end?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 14:57:20 GMT
Happily, I hope? Firearms would be an excellent pacifier for someone with ADHD. It makes complete sense that someone with ADHD would gravitate towards them. It would, very likely, keep symptoms in check, especially in the absence of medication. Taking that away, however, I can't imagine would end well for anyone? How do you create a comparable substitute? The ADHD mind would demand it and probably walk through walls to get it. Fairplay to that nurse
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jamieg
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Post by jamieg on Jun 10, 2018 13:15:30 GMT
Belated update!
The meeting with firearms licencing went well. I explained my traits rather than let anyone guess and make ill informed misjudgements. All was well for quite a while....
Problems with lack of support and feeling let down by my employer meant I wasn't quite my usual self. Someone at work reported me to firearms licencing saying that they had concerns about me.
I had to explain everything that had been happening at work in the last year. Yes I was disgruntled with work, but I am allowed to be fed up but that in no way suggests that I would do anything irresponsible.
I'm hoping this will all blow over but at present I am reluctantly looking for another job.
It's a funny old life!
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jamieg
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Post by jamieg on Jun 15, 2018 0:03:30 GMT
're the work thing... It had been wearing me down worrying about it. I'm an adder rather than an aspie but seeing as there's common traits in both I found this and it was a big help in being able to put the situation to rest:
I was able to identify my stress cycle and break it but it was a tough experience. I also made peace with this fact - I remembered that some people who you think are your friends are in fact just colossal and utter bastards!
I feel much better now πππ
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Post by david on Jun 22, 2021 7:15:28 GMT
interesting read, I'm just 40 and finding out I've been dealing with ADHD and with my health getting worse, ie weight, some stress and covid it's become more apparent.
interestingly enough similar to the original post with, not living up to potential, lack of organisational skills.
lack of good healthy eating and exercise I have noticed brings this to the forefront.
if you want to reach out Jamie g please do.
dtwpublishing@gmail.com
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Post by Kyleg on Apr 18, 2022 13:45:43 GMT
I am currently appying for my shotgun cert. My GP is being a bit funny about giving me a letter. I might go to my specialist re this. Aparently if you join BASC they are very good at helping with the application process with this and they have a bit of clout if you are denied.
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