'Mentally Incompetent' Americans Would Have Access to Guns Under New Bill

Newsweak ^ | March 4, 2024 | Giulia Carbonaro

[where's_the_Outrage?]

A deal made by congressional leaders to avert a partial shutdown of the U.S. government includes an attempt to ease some veterans' access to gun ownership, even when they are deemed "mentally incompetent" to handle their own finances.

The $436 billion funding package agreed on by congressional lawmakers Wednesday extended the deadline for the expiration of funding for government agencies—including the military and Department of Veteran Affairs—from March 1 to March 8. It was the fourth extension painstakingly agreed on by a divided Congress during this fiscal year, but it spelled optimism that a deal for the long-term budget plan could be reached later this year.

Among the victories touted by Republicans in this deal is a bill that would eliminate the decades-old ban on gun ownership for veterans deemed unfit to possess a firearm—a measure gun-rights advocates have long protested.

Gun Owners of America, a nonprofit lobbying organization that promotes gun rights, wrote about the elimination of the ban on X, formerly Twitter.

"Congressional deal cuts funding to the ATF," the organization said, referring to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, "and eliminates a 20+ year old gun ban for veterans. It also temporarily reauthorizes the archaic Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988."

[eastexsteve]

I agree with most of your reply. What you fail to point out is sniper training in special forces since my time is awesome. A retired SF MSG. took me to a range at Fort Campbell, KY about 10 years ago. He was awesome. I always listened to SF NCO’s.

I'm a firm believer in being able to wring as much distance out of your weapon as possible. We have a little room out here where I am, so we take advantage of it. I've always preached that the best way to win a gunfight is not be standing where your enemy can reach you with his weapon. Yet, be able to reach him with yours.