Marine Corps Times: Bill Aims to Protect Vets’ Gun Rights

The Marine Corps Times spoke with IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell for this article about new legislation (S 669) that would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from submitting names to the National Instant Criminal Background Check database unless a judicial authority finds the veterans to be a danger to themselves or others.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is one of several veterans groups backing Burr’s bill because questions about gun ownership have interfered with other legislation, such as a veterans suicide prevention bill approved two years ago.

“Although there is still no danger a veteran will lose their right to carry a firearm for seeking treatment for [post-traumatic stress disorder], we offer our support for this legislation in the hopes it will quell any fears veterans might have about seeking treatment for mental health injuries,” said Patrick Campbell, IAVA’s chief legislative counsel.

Campbell was referring to rampant rumors that VA might begin providing the Justice Department with names of veterans who seek help for PTSD or other mental health issues.