prescribed narcotic medicines and concealed carry in kansas

[thedispatcher]

my dad has always been a long gun man, therefore growing up thats what i grew up as too. i've since gotten into handguns and have been getting him involved with them as well. we were looking at taking the conceal carry class in kansas, but i am afraid his medicines that he takes for a severe back injury will eliminate him from getting a conceal carry permit. can you be medically prescribed narcotics and still get a permit in kansas? i'm sorry if this has been asked before i tried searching and probably skipped right over it. just to make it clear he takes the medicines as prescribed and is prescribed the medicine by a licensed doctor in kansas. again, sorry if i missed it in the clear and thank you for your help. i'd hate to have him pay any money and then not be able to get the permit. just as an fyi i have a ruger sr9c and have been pleased with it. my dad right now has an old ruger mark pistol that shoots 22LR. he's been shooting my sr9c too in case he wants to qualify on it. so i am hoping that even with the pain medication he can take the test and get approved for a permit.

many thanks
{B**

 

[KCD1974]

I've never seen that question asked on a permit application, granted I've only filled it out in two states. Now if he were forced to shoot someone and they pull his blood, he'd have to explain why the drugs are in his system, but since he has that covered, I'd say no issue, but I'm not a lawyer.

Good Luck!

 

[depley61]

I live in Wichita and to the best of my memory from taking the CCH class, the application says nothing about taking legally prescribed medications following doctor's directions. However, if the medications effect him to the point where he could be considered "impared" (can't pass a field sobriety test for example) or he has become addicted to the medication it would be a problem. As long as there is not an addiction issue and he doesn't have a sobriety issue he should be fine. If the meds cause a sobriety issue and he doesn't have to take them all the time then as long as he doesn't carry when he takes the meds he should be fine. After all, in Kansas you can drink while carrying just so long as you are not intoxicated (although I would highly recommend that if you are carrying that you not touch a drop of alcohol). It is once you cross that line from unimpared to impared that you have an issue. If you want to be on the safe side contact the Attorney General's office and a criminal defense attorney who specializes in firearms cases.

 

[thedispatcher]

Thanks! oh and by the way my dads ruger mark 22lr pistol is one from back in the day. not something he picked up for conceal carry. lol.

 

[Caribou]

Don't lie but you don't have to volunteer either. On my application there was a question about any physical impairments that would prevent my safe operation of a handgun. It pretty much left it up to me as to whether any impairments reached the critical point. I just left my white cane in the car when I went in to file the application.

 

[P220]

That could be a tricky one, as some meds would legally deem it unsafe. If you take meds that state you not operate something, and you drive, you can be charged with a DUI/DWI. This same rule could also make it unlawful to carry a weapon, as it may deem you legally impaired. The best thing to do is read your med labels. If this is the case I would find a Firearms Lawyer in your area to ask.

You don't need to divulge your medical history. But, you could face legal action later if your meds would deem you legally impaired, and you are tested for some reason.

Best of luck to you and your Father with this issue.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

That is a good question. I carry. I have a CCW before my knee operation a few months ago. I was prescribed a narcotic for pain. I know it is a narcotic because my release paper says "narco". I took one when we got home and I was "impaired" for two days. I stopped taking it. Now I know how it feels to be "impaired". I opted for a cortisone shot instead.

Anyway, how does your father feel when he takes the medication? Can he be prescribed a different one wherein he will be able to function right, drive, think, do things like a normal person without medication can do? Does he live with you? Or do you live close enough to make sure he is OK? Too many questions but I feel bad if someone old cannot be allowed to have a gun to protect themselves. I know I am not answering your question because I do not know. Sorry.

 

[Almost_Blameless]

i believe this pertains to guns in the same way it does with driving. Many people out on the road are driving 'under the influence' of stuff like valium, hydrocodone, and many more prescribed chemicals that can be defined as 'mind altering'. Your body quickly can become acclimated to usual dosages and you will appear and act normal. However, under a stressful situation such as a driving accident or deadly armed encounter, these drugs COULD make you perform in a manner other than your normal .... and therein lies the problem. You really need to be extra careful under the influence of drugs (and alcohol) in any amount. REMEMBER THAT IF AN INCIDENT OCCURS, LAWYERS FOR THE OTHER GUY WILL BE LOOKING INTO EVERY ORIFICE FOR EVIDENCE AGAINST YOU ... ......just some food for thought......
Happy Shootin'

 

[Shamandin]

I'm prescribed narcotics for chronic pain, similar to your father. My take is, the meds do affect my eye/hand coordination, cognative abilities, etc similar to a couple shots of whiskey, so I treat them the same. If I take them (or have taken them in the past 4 - 6 hours), I don't carry. If I know that I'm going to have to leave the house and thus place myself into a position to where I want/need to carry, then I put off taking the narcotics and hope the ibuprofen will be enough to deal with it 'til I return. All of this is a requirement under Virginia law (no drinking or other impairment, at all, while carrying - open or concealed). I do tend to be a little more ... anal retentive ... in my thinking along these lines than the law requires, but I'd rather not take the risk of losing my CHP or placing my family at additional risk. I leave it up to my wife to protect me in those cases.

Edit - Oh, at least on the Virginia application, it asks about illegal narcotic use. Narcotics prescribed by a licensed physician in good standing with the FDA and filled by a licensed pharmacist doesn't fall under the illegal description. Usually.