Released by United States Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana – October 25, 2023
“My amendment would prevent government workers from unduly stripping veterans of their right to bear arms.”
WASHINGTON – The Senate today passed Senator John Kennedy’s (R-La.) amendment to an appropriations bill that would prevent veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The amendment is based on the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act.
“Veterans who sacrificed to defend our Constitution shouldn’t see their own rights rest on the judgment of unelected bureaucrats—but right now, they do. My amendment would prevent government workers from unduly stripping veterans of their right to bear arms. Every veteran who bravely serves our country has earned VA benefits, and it’s wrong for the government to punish veterans who get a helping hand to manage those resources,” said Kennedy.
Under current law, the VA is required to send a beneficiary’s name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) whenever a fiduciary is appointed to help a beneficiary manage his or her VA benefits.
Ultimately, VA employees decide whether veterans receive help from a fiduciary.
Kennedy’s amendment would prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting a veteran’s personal information through the VA fiduciary program to NICS unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to himself or others.
The amendment text is available here.
