Guns for people with limited intellectual capacity

[4speedy]

Is there a way to prevent someone with limited intellectual capacity from obtaining a concealed weapons license?   Some sort of appeal to the licensing board (in our state it's the county sheriff who grants the license.). If it makes a difference, the license has been applied for but has not yet been granted.

back story:

My next door neighbors participated in the Big Brother/Big Sister program and were paired with this young man about 20 years ago, when he was a kid.  I'll call him J.  He is now a grown man but he is often around doing odd jobs for our neighbors.  He has some sort of diminished intellectual capacity but I am not sure what his "diagnosis" is.  He works in a sheltered workshop with a job coach and he receives social security disability payments (I mention this only to show that his diminished intellectual capacity is not my opinion, it's a verified condition).  

We see J several times a week out in the yard and he always stops by to chat.  We hire him to rake our leaves and snow blow our driveway.  Furthermore, we live on 26 acres and our property is irregularly shaped, kind of "L" shaped.  Our neighbors property is tucked inside the crook of the "L" so when J goes out to bring firewood back to our neighbor's he crosses over our property, the trail runs past our sledding hill and the fort my kids have built to play in.  In short, he is frequently on our property where my kids play during the course of his work.

yesterday I mentioned the kids can't play at their fort because it is about 300 feet into the woods and I can't see it from the house--we've had a coyote problem this winter.  J told me he  will take the kids out to play once he gets his concealed weapon license, for which he has already applied.  I told him in no uncertain terms that  my kids are not allowed to play around people who are carrying guns.  I wish I could trust that J would not bring his gun onto my property simply because I asked him not to but honestly, he operates on the same level as a young child who tries to "sneak" things past his parents.  

He also has a short fuse and has mentioned that "nobody will ever get the jump on me again."  (He was mugged last summer and pretty much wants to waive is gun around at anyone who looks at him wrong)

The combination of gun and lack of common sense on my property bothers me.  The temper and lack of common sense bothers me when he is anywhere else.  this will end badly for himself and others.  Is there any way to bring this to the attention of the licensing board?

[ttt]

What state are you in?

ETA this is highly dependent on your state laws. Some states explicitly prohibit anyone with a mental disability from obtaining a CCW permit but other states don't.

[4speedy]

Feb 3, 2015 8:34:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

What state are you in?

ETA this is highly dependent on your state laws. Some states explicitly prohibit anyone with a mental disability from obtaining a CCW permit but other states don't.

I'm in Michigan.  I have no idea what the specific laws are here but I know in general we are a very pro gun rights state.

[jeaniebueller]

Feb 3, 2015 8:52:50 GMT -5 4speedy said:

Feb 3, 2015 8:34:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

What state are you in?

ETA this is highly dependent on your state laws. Some states explicitly prohibit anyone with a mental disability from obtaining a CCW permit but other states don't.

I'm in Michigan.  I have no idea what the specific laws are here but I know in general we are a very pro gun rights state.

If you are subject to a court order, such as a PPO or hospitalization/mental health order you cannot have a CCW. I believe if you have been subject to an order like that in the past, you cannot have a CCW either. Or if you take any medication that would affect your ability to carry a weapon. If you are concerned, I would not hesitate to send a letter to the head of the gun board outlining your concerns. Likely they may already have information on him based on his background but gun boards do have some latitude in exploring issues that are brought to their attention that may not be apparent from the background checks.

[ttt]

It looks like th State Police are the ones who issue permits. I would call them and explain your concern and see what they say. Here is the law:

www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10926--,00.html

[wawa]

Looking at Michigan's requirements if he's got a diagnosed mental illness or has ever been found legally incompetent, then he won't be able to get a CCW.
He also has to get through a gun safety course - has he done that part yet, and if not, do you think he'll be able to?

[jeaniebueller]

Feb 3, 2015 9:02:09 GMT -5 ttt said:

It looks like th State Police are the ones who issue permits. I would call them and explain your concern and see what they say. Here is the law:

www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10926--,00.html

They are still handled locally through county gun boards and generally the sheriff, state police and prosecuting attorney make the call. There is legislation pending to take the local counties out of it and leave it all up to the state but it is not handled that way presently.

[4speedy]

I am not sure if he has taken the gun safety course yet. J has no filter, every thought he has is verbalized. I think it Iwould be clear to anyone that he has diminished capacity.

[racegrrl714]

I would definitely tell someone/everyone at the sheriff's office, preferably the sheriff his or herself, of the situation. I believe that's why a lot of the times CCW's are handled through the sheriff's office... a local authority should have a lot more intel on their residents than say the state does. If they will listen, definitely tell them about where he works, what behaviors you have observed and what he said after the mugging.

[wawa]

Feb 3, 2015 9:15:34 GMT -5 racegrrl714 said:

I would definitely tell someone/everyone at the sheriff's office, preferably the sheriff his or herself, of the situation. I believe that's why a lot of the times CCW's are handled through the sheriff's office... a local authority should have a lot more intel on their residents than say the state does. If they will listen, definitely tell them about where he works, what behaviors you have observed and what he said after the mugging.

there is also a line in the requirements about being a danger to himself or others - which....that might be the loosey goosey part where a local person can use their discretion.  Although, is MI a "can" or a "shall" issue state?  If it's a "shall" they have very little (no?) room to deny him if he meets the letter of the requirements.