Newbie Question: 1st Time Firearm vs Psychiatry Prescriptions

Posted by Plenty-Question8086@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 5 comments

I've been thinking why there is such a heavy push towards therapy and psychiatry, where doctors can and do prescribe controlled-substance medications for anxiety or ADHD. Then it hit me, maybe if you have a medical record of using controlled substances that makes you ineligible for purchasing a firearm later? Not sure, because I never owned one before (and I don't know anyone who does either) and I know certain political party plays various tricks to discourage young people owning firearms.

This is a genuine question:

Does having a history of going to a psychiatrist and most importantly does having a prescription to controlled-substances (like benzos or adderall) makes you ineligible in the firearm ownership background check or otherwise?

I mean they are brain chemistry altering drugs after all and they might say 'you are not mentally 100% healthy because you went to a psychiatrist and got prescribed something" and I am curious if I got tricked into it and now ineligible to exercise my 2nd amendment right.

Thank you.

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Impossible-Bend-8665@reddit

Medications are not prohibiting factor. Mental condition is. Medications mostly serve to stabilize a person and are indicative of person's mental health.

Underwater_Karma@reddit

Having a mental illness is not in itself a disqualifier.

ZeroPointSpecter@reddit

Taking prescribed psychiatric medication or having a mental health history does not, by itself, take away your ability to buy a firearm in the U.S.

Under federal law, the key disqualifiers related to mental health are very specific. You generally can’t purchase or possess a firearm if you’ve been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, or adjudicated as mentally defective by a court.

There’s no hidden system where getting help flags you as ineligible.

generalraptor2002@reddit

I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist and been prescribed meds since I was 8

I can pass a NICS check no problem

However, certain states like New Jersey and New York have asked me for a letter of mental health clearance prior to the issuance of a permit to carry a handgun

AscrodF97@reddit

Assuming you’re in the US, then no, being on prescription meds (aside from marijuana, that’s a whole separate can of worms) won’t affect a NICS check. I’d recommend you look up ATF Form 4473. That’s the form you fill out when purchasing a firearm and covers everything that a NICS check actually looks for.