Premium
Physician Beliefs about Physical and Mental Competency of Patients Applying for Concealed Weapon Permits
Author(s) -
Goldstein Adam O.,
Viera Anthony J.,
Pierson John,
Barnhouse Kathy K.,
Tulsky James A.,
Richman Barak D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.2169
Subject(s) - competence (human resources) , mental health , medicine , suicide prevention , law enforcement , occupational safety and health , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , pathology , political science , law
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. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.