Veterans Could Be Banned From Owning Firearms, Says VA Letter

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Friday, February 22, 2013

A copy of a letter sent from the Department of Veteran Affairs to a veteran was recently published and is raising concerns. It stated that U.S. veterans should not be allowed to own any type of firearm should they have trouble facilitating their VA benefits.

The letter, sent by the Department of Veteran Affairs and published at redflagnews.com, indicated that veterans, men and women who shed blood to protect the U.S., could be banned from owning or in any way possessing a firearm should government officials deem that action appropriate.

"A determination of incompetency will prohibit you from purchasing, possessing, receiving, or transporting a firearm or ammunition. If you knowingly violate any of these prohibitions, you may be fined, imprisoned, or both pursuant to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Pub.L.No. 103-159, as implemented at 18, United States Code 924(a)(2)."

The VA explained in the letter that after receiving information concerning the recipient's troubles handling his own benefits, it may lead to him being deemed incompetent for owning a firearm and should he acquire a firearm, he could face fines and jail time.

Following the tragedy that struck Newtown, Conn., there has been a heated debate concerning firearm ownership and possession as it relates to personal protection, constitutional rights and community safety.

Gun control advocates have been pushing to enact tougher gun laws and other regulations such as banning military style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that they hope would prevent mass killings.

However, those demands have been met with opposition from gun advocates, who believe that any reduction to a lawful citizen's right to own a firearm is in direct conflict with the second Amendment. They also state that the majority of gun violence is not facilitated with such assault rifles, and that going after those specific weapons would be ineffective at reducing gun violence.

Gun right advocates have also stated that stricter penalties for gun crimes and targeted police action would be better suited at raining in the prolific degree of gun violence in our country.