Press Releases

Today, Chairman Mike Bost, (R-Ill.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, delivered the following remarks, as prepared, at the start of the Full Committee's legislative hearing on veterans’ benefits legislation, including H.R. 705, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act: 

I am proud to have introduced my bill H.R. 705, the Veterans’ Second Amendment Protection Act again this Congress.

My bill would prohibit VA from sending a veteran’s name to the F.B.I.’s  National  Instant   Criminal   Background   Check   System, or NICS list, unless there is first a determination, made by a judge or court, that says the person could be a harm to themselves or others.

In some cases, V.A. will appoint a fiduciary to a veteran or a V.A. beneficiary to help them manage their V.A. benefits.

The appointment of a fiduciary does not indicate the person is dangerous or mentally ill.

It is about their ability to manage their financial benefits.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans – including veterans – have fiduciaries.

But when it comes to our veterans, the minute V.A. appoints a fiduciary, that veterans name is automatically sent to NICS.

The veteran is now prohibited from purchasing a firearm based on the decision of V.A. employees, not a court finding.

My message remains simple.

V.A. should not be able to take away a veterans’ second amendment rights because they need help managing their benefits.

Veterans should not be treated any different than every other American citizen.

Even criminals have to be convicted of a crime in a court of law before their names are reported to NICS.

Let me say that again, even criminals have better due process rights than the men and women who fought to protect our constitutional rights.

Veterans are being reported to NICS for much less and this unjust practice must end.

A little over 8,000 US veterans and beneficiaries have been reported to NICS since the beginning of last fiscal year alone.

Why are our veterans losing one of their constitutional rights because they need help managing their V.A. benefits?

You might be thinking surely V.A. does additional screening with a psychologist, doctor, therapist, the veterans family, or anyone else for that matter before reporting them to NICS.

They don’t.

And it is unacceptable.

We know this practice creates a stigma around getting veterans into V.A. to get the care and services they have earned.

I’ve been hearing it from veterans across the country for years.

And it’s time to stop it.

We should be breaking down barriers when our veterans are telling us why they won’t go to V.A., not standing idle like our hands are tied.

My legislation is not guns on demand.

It would add one step so that veterans can have their day in court before they lose their constitutional right, as any American should expect.

Which is something we should all care about.

I want to thank Mission Roll Call, the National Defense Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion for their support, together you represent millions of veteran voices nationwide.

Once again, this bill is not about guns on demand but about due process and the constitution, which is the bedrock of our republic.

I look forward to the discussion on my bill today.