Panel votes to limit submissions to gun registry

[DonViejo]

Source: AP/Salon

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel has approved legislation that would greatly curtail when veterans deemed mentally incompetent are reported to the FBI’s gun-check registry.

The move to winnow what records get placed into the database comes even as both sides of the gun-control debate have called for strengthening the background-check system.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs automatically submits the names to the FBI’s database of those veterans who are deemed unable to handle their own financial affairs and have a fiduciary appointed to administer their benefits.

But the House Committee on Veterans Affairs approved legislation requiring a judge’s order before a veteran’s name is submitted to the database. Lawmakers said veterans who are not a threat to harm themselves or others should not be denied a constitutional right to buy and possess guns.

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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2013/05/08/panel_votes_to_limit_submissions_to_gun_registry/

[MotherPetrie]

1. What a fucking farce

[dotymed]

2. I agree.

I don't think that a persons eligibility to own a gun should be based on their status as a veteran. That IS discrimination.
I do not agree with our "gun culture" but I do not think that discrimination is the answer.

[TxGrandpa]

3. It isn't just being a veteran but their mental competency

"A House panel has approved legislation that would greatly curtail when veterans deemed mentally incompetent are reported to the FBI’s gun-check registry."

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. "mentally incompetent" meaning "unable to handle their own financial affairs"

[bobclark86]

5. ...as opposed to...

"poses a threat to their own self or others."

[TxGrandpa]

7. Not necessarily inclusive...

My objection isn't against veterans as such, as I'm retired Army; but being mentally incompetent could cover a lot of ground. They should be treated the same as non-veteran civilians.

[dotymed]

11. I live near a large Army base.

I know disabled veterans who have to have someone designated to handle their financial affairs (who get their disability check). These people are often victims of TBI's from war. The ones that I know are incapable of being terrorists, they are usually too trusting and make easy financial targets. Often their families or friends that receive the disability checks, take advantage of them.
I do not think that disabled vets, incapable of handling their finances are the problem.
I have never heard of a terrorist in that category...

[TxGrandpa]

12. I don't believe the gun registry is for terrorists...

...but for those who shouldn't be able to buy weapons. But again it would depend on why a veteran is incompetent...mental problems, etc.

[Lurks Often]

6. The legislation would match the process used for civilians,

not sure what all the outrage is about.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

8. From the OP:

"Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs automatically submits the names to the FBI’s database of those veterans who are deemed unable to handle their own financial affairs and have a fiduciary appointed to administer their benefits. "

Apparently the difference is that for civilians who are not veterans, no governmental agency submits the names to the FBI's database of those who are deemed unable to handle their own financial affairs.

[Lurks Often]

10. The point I was making is that it requires

a judge to decide if there is sufficient cause to deem a civilian incompetent. I can see no reason why a veteran should not be given the same consideration.

[oNobodyo]

9. I don't know...

but the fact that they are trained killers, likely suffering from PTSD and also a high likelihood of having brain damage gives me pause before I'd go and put them in the same category as the general public...and even with the general public I have big problems with the deterent/punish, let a judge/god sort it out after the fact mentality, when a gun really removes 'time to think' for people that often don't care any more whether they live or die.

The suicide and domestic violence rates for those returning from war alone...

The operative phrase here is "mentally incompetent"...Think for a moment what someone has to have gone through before they end up in that state.

They don't need guns, they need healing.