Reasonable people can and will disagree on issues, and under everyday circumstances, it does not make either a bad person. But there are often protocols and practices that are virtually indefensible and make a reasonable person wonder how they were ever implemented in the first place.
A prime example is the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) policy of reporting veterans as “prohibited persons” to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) who simply need financial assistance.
A move that led many to have their Second Amendment rights erased. That policy is now history as the VA will no longer hand over the names of the mostly elderly veterans.
Gun rights supporters welcome this policy reversal
Officials announced the end of such worries this week.
“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs today announced a major new step to protect veterans’ Second Amendment rights,” the VA declared. “Effective immediately, VA will not report veterans to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System as ‘prohibited persons’ only because they need help from a fiduciary in managing their VA benefits.”
Anti-gunners restricted 2A rights on those most deserving of them
To be clear, protecting veterans with mental health issues is paramount, but that’s not what this policy did. Gun control radicals years ago chose to target those who served in the military despite protests from critics.
Breitbart News reported that Gulf War combat veterans were hesitant to be treated for PTSD or other issues. One told the outlet that he avoided seeking help so he would not lose his right to keep and bear arms.
“I was diagnosed with PTSD,” he noted. “What’s being done to be sure my guns aren’t taken away?”
He and other veterans should not experience the anxiety of dealing with the VA and worrying that they will be turned in. It is common as people age to need help in areas where they normally handle their own business.
Those who answered the call to serve and were trusted with weapons to defend the U.S. do not deserve such treatment.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation’s oldest and largest gun rights organization, celebrated the overdue reversal. NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford said in a statement that it was an injustice committed against valiant warriors.
“No veteran who bravely served our nation should ever lose their fundamental Second Amendment rights for simply asking for help—today’s action is a major step toward fairness and honors the sacrifices of those who defended our freedoms,” Commerford declared.
The NRA credited President Donald Trump and Secretary Doug Collins for “restoring due process protections and beginning to correct the improper reporting of veterans to the NICS database.”
While the advocacy group expressed satisfaction with the change, it urged Congress to enact a law codifying veterans’ gun rights so future administrations may not haphazardly rescind the move.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the gun industry trade association, also supported this week’s announcement.
NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane heaped praise on political leaders for standing by the right to keep and bear arms.
“This is another example of the Trump administration upholding its promise to protect Second Amendment rights and the industry that makes these rights possible,” Keane noted. “This action taken by Secretary Collins to not only end the practice but restore those rights to veterans who were wrongfully reported to NICS as ‘prohibited’ reflects his commitment to veterans and the rule of law. NSSF is tremendously grateful to Secretary Collins for his leadership.”
The organization recognized the importance of protecting veterans’ gun rights and, like the NRA, called for new congressional action to solidify this positive change.
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