Near the end of October, I applied for my New York state pistol permit so I might find employment in the field of armed security. I met the criteria in the application to do so – I don’t have a criminal record that would deny me from doing so, and I don’t suffer from a mental illness that would disqualify me from owning or purchasing a firearm.
Unfortunately, about four or five years ago, I was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, twice.
The judge had me take a drug abuse evaluation and a urine screening, which I passed.
I also suffer from OCD and anxiety, so the judge then requested I give her a note from the Family Counseling Center that stated I was of sound mind.
I got the note for her, and I also provided her with my most recent evaluation; both stated I am of sound mind.
So after another 18-day wait (it was now the beginning of February), I received another letter from the court that stated the most recent evaluation that I had dropped off was not sufficient either, and that she would need the complete records of my visits to the counseling center.
Also, it said I should consider a career in unarmed security instead of armed security.
I understand the judge has complete control over the pistol permitting process and that she is trying to be safe, but at a certain point her being safe is becoming an invasion of my right to medical privacy.
At this point in time, I have passed a background check conducted by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department and a drug screening conducted by a New York state certified drug counselor. I have been cleared by a panel of mental health professionals at the counseling center.
This is an example of the issues the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act has created.
Again, I understand that the judge has ultimate say in my “privilege” to have a pistol permit and she is trying to be safe, but she is not a mental health professional.
She is an elected county official and is not qualified to make a decision on my mental health status, and should not be able to supercede the judgment of professionals.
JUSTIN HINE
Gloversvill
