Originally Posted by
Murdy
"Nothing can be said about mental illness issues because of the federal HIPPA laws(the privacy act)."
Not true, in Illinois, you have to get a FOID card (Firearm Owner's ID) before you can possess a firearm. They specifically ask whether you have a patient in a mental institution or "adjudicated as a mental defective." (also about drug addiction, criminal background, etc.). Of course you could lie, and I don't know how close they check.
I recall a very similar line of questioning when I applied for a handgun purchase permit in the state of Minnesota.
I'm not sure how closely they checked on any of my responses, however I was issued one within the 30 day time limit (it was over 10 yrs ago, so I don't recall exactly how long the time frame was before the permit was issued).