Posted on 05/19/2016 10:46:45 AM PDT by pabianice
I recently downloaded the application for renewal of a New Hampshire License to Carry Pistol/Revolver. I have had carry permits in all New England states for the past 20 years.
Much to my surprise, the renewal application adds the requirement that your local chief of police or the colonel of the NH State Police first issue you a letter to be attached to the application stating that you have never been convicted of a drug crime, have never been involved in domestic violence, have not been convicted of any other crime, and have never been "treated for mental illness or any emotional problems."
With medical records now online (Obamacare) one supposes that if you have ever gone to a psychologist about fear of spiders or not liking flying, or that your wife divorced you, you are now unsuitable to be issued a permit.
We work with 35 different mental health providers in Texas and adjoining states. Only one of them records chart notes on-line. All of them see people who have coverage for mental health benefits yet do not wish to use those benefits. We do not even verify coverage for those people and they are seen on a private pay basis.
Not all doctors, including those in disciplines other than mental health, use electronic medical records, particularly solo providers. Would like to think that you could find an individual provider in your area that keeps notes the old fashioned way in a paper file folder and that would negotiate a private pay rate with you.
Guess that Free State Project didn’t work. I think the dissenters that said New Hampshire was too big and too statist were right, they moved to Wyoming.
Idiocy is a contributing factor toward more untreated mental issues. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence will not seek counseling or mental health treatment if they will be branded as unfit for self defense or weapons possession. It is already a problem for those wishing insurance as the companies will jack up premiums for mental health issues. Those realizing the problem and consequences will not seek help. There is no such thing as confidential medical records anymore as insurance companies and the medical community share medical records.
Interesting that this isn’t done through the sheriffs office.
“Well out here, pilgrim, a man learns to solve his own problems.” - John Wayne
Kids today are growing up in a society where anytime something traumatic happens, the school district sends in the grief counselors.
A schoolmate dies, send in the counselors. A favorite teacher dies, send in the counselors. The school mascot dies, send in the counselors. Someone gets called a ‘bad’ name, send in the counselors.
You have to wonder if this will be used against them at a future date to deny them their constitutional rights.
NH is a shall issue state, I will bring this up with my State Reps on Saturday at out monthly county meeting. Maggie Hitler is playing games.
Please allow me to add clarifying information. I believe you are referring only to a Non-Resident application from a state that does not issue carry permits. I have checked the Resident application and cannot find this requirement.
For the Non-Resident application the section you refer to appears to be:
“A non-resident pistol license will not be issued unless you supply:
1) A copy (front & back) of your valid concealed carry license issued by the state, county, or town in which
you reside.
OR IF YOU RESIDE IN A STATE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A LICENSE TO CARRY CONCEALED: (Pursuant to Saf-C 2102.03)
2) A letter from your local police department signed by an authorized representative indicating the following:
a) The state does not require a license to carry concealed for residents; b) To the best of the local police department’s knowledge, the applicant:
i. Is not a drug user of controlled drugs or narcotics without orders from a physician;
ii. Has not been treated for mental illness, emotional problems, or confined to a mental health facility;
iii. Has no domestic violence petitions that would prevent possession of weapons under federal law; and iv. Has not been arrested or convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence.”
Clicking on the section referred to (Saf-C 2102.03) and doing a Google search leads you to a letter from the Office of State Legislative Services dated July 18, 2013: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/ssb/permitslicensing/documents/Saf-C2100.pdf. I can’t figure out when this change was instituted but appears to change the requirement from Vermont to any state that doesn’t issue a carry permit.
So all I can find is a requirement that your local police chief write such a letter for a Non-Resident applicant from a state that does not issue a carry permit. There is no mention of the Colonel of the NH State Police, nor is there any requirement that I can see for a New Hampshire resident to obtain such a letter from their local police chief.
Nonetheless, that still means that a ME or VT resident applying for a NH permit must still supply such a letter. A chief of police is in no position to certify an applicant’s mental status, let alone if he is afraid of spiders.
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