Involuntary Commitment and Loss of Rights

Expeditionary · 20-07-2011, 04:58 PM

I am going through some **** lately to say the least, the Memories are really invasive and my self mutilation is getting worse. Yesterday, I carved in the “date” in my thigh with my trusty tool which is now my |best friend| because I am Alone. Physically and mentally. I am independent and live alone, I am 22 years old after all. My Dad is attempting to be paternal but I do not appreciate his lies to the cops about me. I did not threaten to kill myself, now he and the police want a Warrant from the courts to have my rifle collection seized. This is regardless of the fact my life once revolved around firearms, when markmanship was encouraged, and I even need one for my current job.

Law is not my strong point, but I have been detained by cops and taken for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation a number of times in the past few weeks including for my so called “threat”. Kept the full 72 hours before being released, no requests to the courts for further involuntary commitment which would be very expensive anyway and I don't have that much coverage. I've always thought that you had to be involuntary committed beyond the 72 hour hold for you to effectively lose some of your rights. I live in Illinois, but I don't see why that should be different from anywhere else. I want some opinions on this, really. Sorry if I'm a bit vague. If you're not from the States I'm sure you've heard somewhere that in here in the US, firearms are a Constitutional right, but there are circumstances where you can be barred. I believe convicted Felons and people with “severe” mental illness. Varies State to State I guess.

crazykat · 22-07-2011, 03:59 AM

I guess they are doing it because they are worried about your safety. Not thinking of your job at the moment do you think you are safe to have them around (not feeling suicidal)? If you answer no then have you tried talking to your dad and explaining just because you self-harm it doesn't mean you are suicidal? I am sorry I don't know much about law but hopefully someone that does comes along and helps. Take care
Kat xxx

roiben · 22-07-2011, 01:58 PM

Sorry, I can not help here. I know UK law, but am aware that there is a large difference between that and the US constitutional and state laws.

~Roiben x

red_ry · 22-07-2011, 03:30 PM

Yeah, I think you could lose your FOID card if you're committed.

Expeditionary · 22-07-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazykat

I guess they are doing it because they are worried about your safety. Not thinking of your job at the moment do you think you are safe to have them around (not feeling suicidal)? If you answer no then have you tried talking to your dad and explaining just because you self-harm it doesn't mean you are suicidal? I am sorry I don't know much about law but hopefully someone that does comes along and helps. Take care
Kat xxx

I do keep them locked in a safe place, I don't think I would ever turn them on myself. Suicidal, well that's another issue, but I've never thought of using firearms, not such a violent method anyways. But then I guess that doesn't seem to matter to State Police and my dad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_ry

Yeah, I think you could lose your FOID card if you're committed.

To lose an Illinois FOID card, the case seems to be that you have to be committed beyond the usual 72 hours, because everything before that is simply for evaluations. My father says this is not the case, that because I've "threatened" suicide they can be taken off me sooner... I don't know if I can handle that. Must plan against.

red_ry · 23-07-2011, 02:10 PM

No clue dude. Your best bet would probably be to look up the relevant statutes.