Bill would ease access to guns for some vets declared mentally incapable

— Veterans Washington whom the government declares incapable of managing their own affairs would have easier access to firearms under spending legislation expected to be signed by President Joe Biden in the coming days — a reversal of current law that Republicans, and even some Democrats, have been pushing for years.

Those lawmakers say the law requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to report veterans declared mentally incompetent to the national background check system punishes those who rely on benefits from the agency and may need help managing their money. But gun control advocates say the law is an important tool in protecting against suicides by those who have served in the military.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, said the change could result in thousands of mentally ill people having increased access to guns — “a death sentence for many,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The spending bill provision comes as gun control advocates have scored modest wins in recent years. Congress passed a sweeping law in 2022 that would expand some background checks for people under 21 and provide new mental health services for children and schools, among other measures.

While several Republicans supported that legislation, though, some Democrats have supported the change in VA policy, including Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont. Tester, who also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Tester has been pushing to reverse the law for several years, arguing that many veterans won’t collect their benefits at all because they are afraid that their guns will be taken away.

“It’s flat wrong that a D.C. bureaucrat could take away a veteran’s legal right to firearms simply because they need assistance managing their finances,” said Tester.