Enhanced mental health reporting...you may not want a gun, how about your driver's license?
{I've been pumping articles into this forum to get it off the ground. This post is to take things in a different way...trying to open up a discussion that's much more open to opinion.}
For several decades, many, most?, states have asserted their abilities disqualify drivers who suffer from medical or mental conditions. You may have noticed a question about that on your driver's license application/renewal.
In setting the requirements into statutes legislatures have frequently set up reporting requirements. Mostly the reporting requirements have gone unenforced. That could be changing.
In the wake of the Newton mass murder and national determination to reduce such attacks, sentiment has turned sharply to the need for enhancing use of the NICS database. In turn, many have pointed out gaping holes in the NICS database. Everyone wants those holes closed.
So your mental healthcare provider may soon come under enhanced pressure to report. And that pressure may not be just the reporting of mental states that disqualify you from owning a gun.
It's all understandable in a general sense...we all want to be safe. No one wants persons who have siezures or lapses into unconsciousness from epilepsy or uncontrolled diabetics passing out while driving. No one wants people with narcolepsy falling asleep at the wheel. No one wants inattentive, dare we say, attention deficit drivers not paying attention to traffic and road signs...
But the states want to know all the possible things your DR might think could be a problem...a quick googling turns up the IL DVM wanting your Dr to tell how angry you get. In PA the DMV wants the DR to tell if you've had thoughts of suicide. Both states Drs to snitch about whether you 'use' alcohol. They also want to know if you are compliant with your treatment and taking your meds.
Seems the state don't get too specific. They defer to the expertise and awareness of your therapist and psychologist.
What have you told a therapist lately? Getting angry, too often? Feeling depressed enough to have thoughts about hurting yourself? Losing a lot of sleep and having trouble concentrating on problems?
As states turn toward enhanced enforcement of reporting from physicians and psychiatrists to close gaps in the NICS system, How do you feel threatened about enhanced reporting about your mental health and treatments?
Feel less inclined to check that box on your driver's license renewal? Feel like maybe some things shouldn't be said, even to your therapist?
= new reply since forum marked as read
