1w ago

I was diagnosed with early onset dementia and alzhimers. Is there safe guards I can put it up so I don't screw or kill anyone? Like who do I contact about being denied to own a gun?

I don't think ii would ever hurt anyone. But in nursing if have seen severe cases. I just want to make sure their are safeguards for me in place. It scares the shit out of me.

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38 comments

Honest question though: do you think you SHOULD own a gun?
- He clearly doesn't. Hence the question.
  
  I think you have missed what they were really asking.
  
  It sounds like he's asking op if he believes he should own a gun. When he clearly said he wants to be blocked from owning guns.
  
  Completely missing the point.
  
  what is the point?
  
  There are segments of the population that FEEL like it's a god given right to have guns.
  People with dementia revert back to a specific mind state that doesn't register there is an issue, hence this person's question.
  Somebody with Alzheimer's or any stage of Dementia may just walk down the street and buy a gun. Which is my real question.
  Does this person FEEL like they SHOULD own a gun? If it's something they would normally not think about, it's unlikely that they would-at any stage of memory loss-go and get a gun.
  These diseases don't completely change your personality and suddenly make you a different creature of habit, they just revert you back to certain spaces where your neural paths make sense and operate on that.
  
  Perhaps they've been a gun owner in the past. I'm as lefty as they come, and I have owned guns in the past, and plan on having a gun again. There are people who hunt, who live in areas with bear and other dangerous animals, and there are those who have worked in fields where firearms are something you have. I have worked armed security. I enjoy going to gun ranges (though, as a general rule, I no longer do that. Too many dipshit right wing stains on humanity hang out there). I lived in a very rural area until April, and we would often target shoot out in the back yard. Owning a gun in the US is so normalized that if OP is in the US, and anywhere outside of major urban centers (and even then...), it is very possibly a concern that if they are not in their right mind, just popping down the local gun store (and there is almost always at least one local gun store around) or pawn shop, and pick up a 9mm or a .38 special. If I ever got a dementia diagnosis, this would also be a major concern for me. I would give my power of attorney to whoever I trusted most, and make sure the state was alerted that I should not be trusted with a weapon again. I've never considered this aspect until now, but OP is exactly right. It's far too commonplace a thing not to worry that in an episode you won't just go do that in the States. Our gun culture is absolutely insane.
  Also, before the accusations fly:
  There have been no children in the home The guns are in lock boxes Ammunition is stored separately I am not a "but the home invasions!" Nutjob
  
  Okay, but again, you're missing the entire point of the conversation.
  This is a person worried about losing their rational mind.
  You're trying to describe rationality.
  That's not how memory loss works. At. All.
  You're making this about YOU, and it has nothing to do with you. Only the person who asked the question.
  
  Firstly, that is how memory loss works. If they're a person who has a prexisting interest or history in a thing, in a moment of confusion they may well forget that it's not a good idea for them to go do that thing again.
  Secondly, I'm not making it about me. I'm using myself as an example.
  Thirdly, there's no "again" here. This was our first interaction about this.
  Finally, the person who asked the question is clearly concerned about this aspect. You making this about YOU and YOUR assumptions on their history, personality, and general ethos does not help a person who is genuinely seeking help. Perhaps try answering their question ("how do I ensure I am on a no-purchase list for firearms?") instead of attempting to make this more than it is and making this a "the psychology of gun owners" debate?
  
  No, it's not.
  Someone who didn't own or had a penchant for guns in the first place wouldn't SUDDENLY get all crazy about guns as you're suggesting. It's simply not a thing.
  Whatever your crazy insecurities are about this, it's not about the OP who is simply asking about being restrained in a way. Not because they are prone to it, but because they don't know what's going to happen.
  You're just some insecure assholes making this about you. Fuck off.
  
  Jesus Christ. Is there some kind of medication you're supposed to be taking that you haven't? Or perhaps a medication you're not supposed to be taking that you have taken too much of?
  Re read what I said. I specifically said if they had that interest. My original comment was mostly agreeing with you that if they had that interest is when the concern kicks in. Seriously. You're so busy attempting to defend yourself that you've blinded yourself to the fact that no one was attacking you. Fucking chill.
  
  Friend...you need to chill. Gonna leave it there because you seem to have issues regulating.
  
  Oohh, you are saying: if they ever felt like the should own a gun, or if in different circumstances they should own a gun there's a higher risk of them trying to own one in the future, right?
  That makes sense, thanks
  
  Yep. That's what dementia is like.
  OP has been consumed and understands this, and is asking about this because they are wondering if they might fall into a state and end up doing something they would normally not do. It's a good question to ask.

38 comments