Temporary Detainment Order

[Plumbiphilious]

Hi,

This is my first post to the forum, and I'd just like to ask for a little help on where exactly to go with an issue I have...

I make it a point to follow firearms law because I love the hobby, but I've run into a troublesome issue.

Last year, I was extremely depressed from a bad job situation, and was advised to go to the ER by company HR.
There, I admit I presented quite badly, and they gave me a "TDO," or "temporary detainment order," out of the blue and take me to the psych ward for suicide-watch-cum-observation (no excuses, no forewarning, even a security guard to make sure I didn't run away).

Because it was a Friday, I was held until the following Monday until magistrates came back for the new workweek in a place that was horrifyingly depressing.
Heck, unless I was picked up by a friend of mine, they wouldn't have let me go because I had said I owned firearms at home (well, excuse me for trying to give the best patient history I could).

The entire four-ish day stay was me trying to keep my head up and let the nursing staff and evaluators know I was okay and just wanted to go home from a very, very scary incident/kidnapping (in my view). The nurses were completely on my side, since I was quite head and shoulders not truly depressed as the other people in the ward (one guy was walking around with obvious self-inflicted looking wounds healing, several of them continually crying as they walked about...).

I am completely free now, and have been for several months.
I quit that job as soon as I got released and found a different one a few months later, and feel a whole goddamn hell lot more comfortable and stable emotionally (not that I was truly suicidal honestly, just in a bad place without enough knowledge of how to get better).

However, I'm scared crapless of my firearms situation.
They released me on the condition that my friend hold my guns for a week or so (and he did, he's a great guy) and gave me some outpatient clinics to try and get with.

I'm relatively sure my ability to own firearms has not been taken away, since I was detained for "observation" but NOT pulled into inpatient wards (either willingly or unwillingly), but I'm not 100% sure.

As well, I wanted to apply for a Concealed Carry Permit (passed the class and have the eligibility requirements), but directly on the form it asks me if I've ever had a TDO and some other stuff. Am I not allowed to apply unless I wait another five years (it gives the impression I can't)?

Please help this new member, VGOF. I love guns, and honestly they're a hobby that makes me happy (it's a zen thing for me).

I don't want to be punished for just trying to get help...

tl;dr I'm unsure if I can own guns or get a CC permit since I was TDO'd last year, but released with essentially flying colors?

[allingeneral]

You should probably ask a lawyer about this. Get in touch with Dan Hawes and see if he can provide you with some clarity on your situation. -> http://www.virginialegaldefense.com/

[smltooner]

I'm sorry for your situation and after all of that, to the club.

[Plumbiphilious]

You should probably ask a lawyer about this. Get in touch with Dan Hawes and see if he can provide you with some clarity on your situation. -> http://www.virginialegaldefense.com/

I was afraid of that.
I was hoping someone else was in this situation to give me a rundown, but thank you very much for your help.

I'm very glad to have a namedrop on a trustworthy 2a lawyer I can consult, so that's a big help for me.

[Reverenddel]

This is mainly why gun owners who have depression suffer silently. We're not "allowed" to have issues, or problems, or seek help, because "OH LAWD! HE DONE GOTS HIMSELF A GUN! HE IS A DANGER!" (shakes head)

Not everyone with a weapon, and depression is gonna commit suicide, but the laws are stacked against getting any form of help.

[skeeterss0]

Same situation in the Military, you go see a shrink and you earn a unflatterning label. Promotions, Deployments, and other things that can create a career go by the wayside and you are pretty much sunk. So many military members are told to "man up" and hold it all in. Then when it really does come out people ask why.

[AnkleBiter]

This is why "many of us with Post Traumatic Stress" remain silent and reach out to our buddies. Sadly many do not hence the 24 a day suicide rate, it is the same way for law enforcement as I volunteer and teach tactical carbine. I have listened to many officers who just wanted to vent. Sucks.

[wittmeba]

The VCDL provides a list of gun friendly lawyers. Here is one name from that list. He used to manage the VCDL Calendar. I believe (don't quote me) he will offer free consultation. You might want to consider joining the VCDL to support their efforts in fighting to improve gun laws.

John Pierce, Esq.
The Law Office of John Pierce, Esq.
3101 Lee Highway
Ste. 18/19 #167
Bristol, VA 24202
(276) 206-9615
mailto: John@JohnPierceEsq.com
http://www.JohnPierceEsq.com/
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