title: Physician Beliefs about Physical and Mental Competency of Patients Applying for Concealed Weapon Permits.
abstract: Law enforcement officials have asked health care providers to evaluate patient applications for concealed weapon permits. The current study was designed to examine physician beliefs regarding competency to carry a concealed weapon for patients with specific physical and mental conditions. Among 222 North Carolina physicians who participated in this survey (40% response rate), large variation and uncertainty existed for determining competency. Physicians most frequently chose mild dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and recent depression as conditions that would render a patient not competent to carry a concealed weapon. Male physicians and those owning a gun were more likely to deem a patient competent. Almost a third of physicians were unsure about competence for most conditions. Physicians asked to assess competency of patients to carry a concealed weapon have quite disparate views on competency and little confidence in their decisions. If physicians are expected to assess patient competence to carry a concealed weapon, more objective criteria and training are needed.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Adam O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Viera
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, U.S.A.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Kathy K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Barnhouse
authors.affiliation: Duke University Department of Medicine, U.S.A.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tulsky
authors.affiliation: Duke University School of Law, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Barak D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Richman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification; D003704:Dementia; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D050823:Hand Joints; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases; D010003:Osteoarthritis; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010820:Physicians; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011570:Psychiatry; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic