TexasCHLforum.com

Hi group, I'm hoping y'all can give me some advice. Not to be verbose, but I have to lay down some background.

As a Texas college student in 1989, I was very depressed, had no energy and was cold all the time. I was wearing a coat when it was 80 degrees outside. I couldn't sleep and visited the campus shrink after not having slept for 72 hours and stated I was feeling suicidal. The shrink had little choice but to report this, an "order of protective custody" was issued, and I was transported to a psychiatric hospital by a constable for "observation". The hospital labeled my affliction "adjustment disorder".

I had a formal commitment hearing in front of a judge with legal counsel present ~ 7 days later. The judge ordered me to be released from the hospital immediately. After I got out I got a call from the hospital saying I needed to get to a doctor pronto. They had done blood work on me the day before my hearing. My thyroid had shutdown, and my TSH levels were higher than they had ever seen. The symptoms of extreme hypothyroidism completely match the symptoms presented to the psych hospital. The endocrinologist confirmed levels were insane, got me on synthroid and I haven't had any depression since.

I wonder now if all this has eliminated my second amendment rights.
I have 3 questions:

1. Does "order of protective custody" = "adjudicated mentally defective" ?
2. Does "observation" in a mental hospital = "involuntary commitment" ?
3. Do I have any hope of getting a CHL?

Thanks,

Sam

I can't really answer your question; Others can answer better than I.

But I'm just posting because my dad had his thyroid and parathyroid removed in the 1970s due to cancer in his neck, and that definitely sounds like the cause of all that; so I'd think your diagnosis would ultimately be a thyroid disorder. Dad experienced symptoms like you describe when he'd have to stop his thyroid meds due to some other tests or treatments, but knew it was temporary and the cause of those symptoms.
You might want to get records from the Court and Hospital, and certainly the doctor who initially prescribed synthroid, if not for this, it may be handy later for other reasons.

From : http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... hlfaqs.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Quoted in part: (click above link for more)
Eligibility will also depend on whether or not you were granted a relief of disabilities under the NICS Improvement Amendment Act. If you have spent time in a psychiatric care facility, you should attach a letter to your application from a licensed psychiatrist stating that your "condition is in remission and is not reasonably likely to develop at a future time," as stated in the concealed handgun law.

You might want to post this in the CHL Checklist section:
viewforum.php?f=36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
CHL Checklist
Check here before mailing your CHL Application; + RECIPROCITY MAP!

RPB, thanks for the response. After looking at my questions in print, I realized I was asking legal questions. I'm going to find an attorney.

Thanks again!

Sam

sampson46 wrote:RPB, thanks for the response. After looking at my questions in print, I realized I was asking legal questions. I'm going to find an attorney.

Thanks again!

Sam

A good one to look up might be here memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
However, I'd bet he may want to see copies of documents from the Court, medical records from the doctor(s)/hospital who called you, which you may need to obtain to apply for your CHL anyway to show it was a MEDICAL (thyroid) problem, not likely to reoccur, INSTEAD OF a mental problem, or something to that effect.

I still haven't a clue what the answer might be, but you should get copies of those records anyway, just to have them in case you need them for any other reason later.