POSITION: The Brady Campaign opposes the “Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act” (S. 669 and H.R. 2547), which would repeal longstanding regulations barring mentally incompetent persons from possessing firearms.

PROBLEM: If passed, this legislation would allow mentally ill persons to possess firearms even if the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that they are 1) “mentally incapacitated,” 2) “mentally incompetent,” or 3) “experiencing an extended loss of consciousness.”

The legislation was introduced by Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina.

The U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller specifically recognized the importance of “longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by … the mentally ill.”

THREAT: This legislation could allow more than 100,000 mentally incapacitated or incompetent persons to arm themselves immediately, despite findings by the VA that they are unfit to manage their affairs.

URGENCY: The legislation poses a serious danger to veterans, their families, and the public. Anyone unable to manage his or her own affairs due to mental illness should not be permitted to take on the responsibilities of gun possession. There is a heightened risk of suicide when a dangerously mentally ill person has access to guns. At least 121 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans have been charged with a killing after returning from war.

SOLUTION: For the safety of veterans, their families, and the public, call your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to urge them to reject the so-called “Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act” (S. 669 and H.R. 2547).

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