Republican Lawmakers Target VA Gun Ban

posted on March 25, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Republican lawmakers are fighting a Department of Veterans Affairs policy that could rescind the Second Amendment rights of over a quarter-million former service members. Currently, if the VA appoints a fiduciary for someone having trouble managing his or her finances, they are judged “mentally incompetent” and submitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). These individuals will then be flagged during NICS checks, and will be denied the right to purchase a firearm.

In response, two GOP lawmakers—Sen. Chuck Grassley and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson—have written a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald criticizing this policy. In another letter, this time to Senate appropriators, Grassley asked lawmakers to use upcoming budget negotiations to block the VA from continuing this practice. 

While the VA claims they’re required to report “mentally incompetent” veterans, one has to wonder what being unable to balance a checkbook has to do with a constitutional right.

Latest

William A. Bachenberg
William A. Bachenberg

President’s Column | What a Year It Has Been!

Wow! How fast a year has gone by since being elected president at the end of April last year! My first column was titled “It’s A New Day At The NRA,” and included the following:

Standing Guard | We Are the Good Citizens

I am a big believer in transparency. Each individual needs privacy from unconstitutional government intrusion—this especially includes what guns a law-abiding American citizen might own—but an association of freedom-loving citizens must be transparent.

U.S. v. Hemani Arguments

On March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani. The case involves a defendant who is fighting a federal indictment for possessing a firearm while being a marijuana user.

President’s Column | Getting You Up to Speed

A lot of things have occurred over the past month or so that not all members are completely aware of. I’ll use my column this month to update you on some important issues—transparency.

Standing Guard | The NRA Gathers to Celebrate Our Freedom

The momentum we’re seeing across the country is both encouraging and energizing. January opened with tremendous activity at the NRA booth during SHOT Show, where members, industry partners and supporters stopped by to connect, share ideas and reaffirm their commitment to freedom and the Second Amendment.

Port Authority Doubles Down on Constitution-Free Zone with High-Profile Arrest

As anyone who has passed a basic civics class knows, the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All legislation and official government actions are subject to its limits.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.