Medical evaluation

[Czakp64]

Greetings all,
I'm looking for guidance.
My wife and I just passed our CHL qualifications. She received her card, (In only 2 weeks BTW with faxed in chl100)
I however was sent a form for a medical/ psychological evaluation. This is in response to information I disclosed on my applications that I spent 16 days in an in-patient alcohol recovery center. Yes I am a grateful recovering alcoholic.
That was two years and two mons ago.
And I have no criminal record. Or other disqualifies.
That said I have deep appreciation for the extra scrutiny. And will be at peace with whatever the outcome.
But to the questions:
I have also never been or are currently under any psych. Care.
And am unsure as who to address the evaluation to. My thought is to ask the good doctors at the treatment center. As they are most familiar with my med records. My family doctor does not qualify in the need specialty.

Next is a concern that I may be just reading in to the documents, That if I am found unfit to exercise sound judgment, proper use and storage of a handgun. Does this possibly set myself up for possible confiscation of handguns by another agency?
Truthfully I am not concerned about the doctors findings being anything but in my favor. But that may be the arrogant alcoholic in me speaking as well.

I would appreciate any sound guidance.
Thanks,
Russ...

[Keith B]

Welcome to the forum.

Your issue is related to the chemical dependency portion of eligibility.

To be eligible for a CHL, the law states

GC §411.172. ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for a license to carry a
concealed handgun if the person:
..............
(6) is not a chemically dependent person;

The definition per the law is

GC §411.171. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
............
(2) “Chemically dependent person” means a person who frequently or
repeatedly becomes intoxicated by excessive indulgence in alcohol or uses
controlled substances or dangerous drugs so as to acquire a fixed habit and an
involuntary tendency to become intoxicated or use those substances as often
as the opportunity is presented.
.........

So, being as your stay in rehabilitation was only a little over 2 years ago there is probably a concern as to your status and if you are or are not still chemically dependent.

Not sure what the evaluation form requires, but I will guess they are looking for a certified statement by one of your physicians that is currently treating you that you are not currently chemically dependent.

[carlson1]

with Keith. I also would think your best route is to go back to the doctors who treated you for a "release" or a "wellness letter."

[cb1000rider]

Be aware that getting a doctor to give you a release as no longer being chemically dependent may be much harder than you think... I agree with above start with asking for a copy of your release evaluation or a wellness letter and see if that works.

Pilots occasionally run into this scenario and what it takes to convince the federal government that these issues are past is often significant. I know that they only accept specific credentials from physicians and those physicians require what is often an expensive set of evaluations. Hopefully that's not the case here. If they don't accept a release letter or similar, you can PM me and I'll get you more information on how the pilots deal with it - I know a doctor that largely addresses these issues as an advocate.

[ScottDLS]

Sir - You have to answer this question yourself. If you have had no legal diagnosis of alcoholism by a MEDICAL DOCTOR licensed to do so, I really don't see the issue.

Fellow TXCHL Forum colleagues...this "mental illness" meme is the gun grabbers new move. Do you feel that marriage is between man/woman? You are ill, homophobe!! Ill, no gun.

Served our country in Iraq/Afghanistan, ooo... you are damaged and should never own a gun. PTSD.... I understand this, but who the heck diagnoses you. There's too many of us who have not been in a hot war who should not be judging you. Buy...get the CHL, you are good person... That's my thought (Navy Vet).


-Scott