Posted on Apr 25, 2015
Veterans losing gun rights because of VA reporting... What exactly is the truth and what do you think?
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PTSD
Politics
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
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I've seen this happen to a couple of Brothers. The whole idea behind this, in my opinion, is/was to reduce the severity/chance of an armed insurrection. Again, that is my opinion. Maybe they had good intentions, but as we all know, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. However, I do believe that it is highly unconstitutional to relieve someone of their constitutionally protected rights via loopholes and bureaucracy. The idea, to me, that the government, in any capacity, could possibly NOT mismanage a Veteran's benefits is like trying to smell the color 9.
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree 100% the current Administration attempted to remove the Right to bear arms from persons placed on the no fly list. A list it takes practically no offense to end up on, this Country needs to get back to the Constitutional straight and narrow path. This Nation wasn't formed to make things easy for the government, it was formed to prevent past wrongs.
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This type of propaganda only does two things, increase gun sales among veterans and cuts VA costs by ensuring a lot of Veterans don't seek help. Neither of which is good for Veterans, especially when taken in tandem.
I do tend to think this is rarer than the media tends to make it, but I also know what kind of damage a single individual with access to a mailing list can do, or worse, someone who writes policy.
I do tend to think this is rarer than the media tends to make it, but I also know what kind of damage a single individual with access to a mailing list can do, or worse, someone who writes policy.
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Well, I'm in this situation. VA told me I was incompetent to handle my affairs. I cannot make financial decisions over $50.00. I had to sell my Colt Python 357 Magnum with it's 2 1/2 inch barrel. I have Dementia, knowing that my mind can snap at any moment. I decided my family's safety was more importantly than my 2nd Amendment rights.
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SPC Edward Tapper
Prayers for you going up, brother. I'm glad you were able to make that decision on your own accord, however, I don't think that the VA, nor any other federal agency, should have the right to relieve us of our right to protect ourselves and our families. The only time my gun ownership might have deadly consequences is if myself or my family becomes threatened with harm or death. Property is replaceable, my family and I are not.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
Sgt Jay Jones
And yet you write completely cogent comments here on RP. My mother had a test administered by a doctor and monitored by a judicial officer before she was found incompetent. I know this is a delicate subject, but how did the VA make their decision?
And yet you write completely cogent comments here on RP. My mother had a test administered by a doctor and monitored by a judicial officer before she was found incompetent. I know this is a delicate subject, but how did the VA make their decision?
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Sgt Jay Jones
It was determined during my Comp & Pen evaluations that I was incompetent to handle my affairs. It's amazing to me that I continue to get comments from people that say they can't tell there is anything wrong with me. Well, that's because they don't know what I was like before I became ill. My IQ was evaluated in 2008 and it was 165. Now it's somewhere around 120. You may think that is still good, but I could tell when I was doing my job before I had to quit that something was wrong. I was struggling to do my everyday task. Since I was an Air Traffic Controller Supervisor I was required to have a Class II Airman's Medical Certificate. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and Dementia I was immediately medically disqualified to do my job. After all of my evaluations came back the VA told me that I was required to get rid of my firearms, I could only make financial decisions of $50.00 or less and I had to stop driving. Needless to say, I am blessed with a wonderful wife and she take great care of me and my finances and I depend on her totally.
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Managing benefits is a poor litmus test and is not appropriate because there are no correlations to gun ownership most of the time. The military, VA, and possibly SS often put vets in a financial bind. That is a false test.
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Suspended Profile
I think the VA, and all medical providers, have a responsibility to report via the appropriate channels if they feel someone is a danger to themselves or others.
I'm sorry to say this but I don't want a manic depressive with homicidal or suicidal thoughts running around my town with weapons, regardless of their military status. God forbid something "really bad" (and I mean "really bad") happens......then everyone would be demanding to know why concerns were not reported.
The Medical Field does have a responsibility to its patients to provide the best care possible and protect their privacy, but they also have a responsibility to the general public to report and prevent threats to the community.
For example....if you go for an eye exam and are found to be clinically blind the doctor is required to report this to the DMV so that your driving privileges can be addressed.
Anyway my point is this.....the current system may not be perfect, but just like with eyesight there are mechanisms in place to fight the doctor's recommendation if you do not agree with it and have privileges restored.
Does the process need to be addressed and clarified.......HELL YES IT DOES......but we need to accept that these policies are in place to protect the greater good.....not punish the individual.
I'm sorry to say this but I don't want a manic depressive with homicidal or suicidal thoughts running around my town with weapons, regardless of their military status. God forbid something "really bad" (and I mean "really bad") happens......then everyone would be demanding to know why concerns were not reported.
The Medical Field does have a responsibility to its patients to provide the best care possible and protect their privacy, but they also have a responsibility to the general public to report and prevent threats to the community.
For example....if you go for an eye exam and are found to be clinically blind the doctor is required to report this to the DMV so that your driving privileges can be addressed.
Anyway my point is this.....the current system may not be perfect, but just like with eyesight there are mechanisms in place to fight the doctor's recommendation if you do not agree with it and have privileges restored.
Does the process need to be addressed and clarified.......HELL YES IT DOES......but we need to accept that these policies are in place to protect the greater good.....not punish the individual.
SSgt (Join to see)
Okay wow dude! You do see why the stigma of mental illness goes so under-reported? And threats to the community, how do we know you do not have a dungeon downstairs or that you kill animals for fun? We don't but the problem with generalizations is they are not helpful especially when a dx is made. You need to understand what mental states actually mean and not the foaming at the mouth unsub on Criminal Minds,
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Suspended Profile
SSgt L ol your comment is ignorant and full of hate and spite.
Please do not sprew it in my direction.
Making asinine comments like this does not help your cause, or for that matter the cause of any Veterans group out their......it enables the very folks you are trying fight against to use your "words" against you.
I have many friends with PTSD....I'm in the medical field and have treated many suffering from it's effects.
I myself have been diagnosed with it and struggle with my own demons.
I can honestly say that in the event I ever fall into the abyss I hope my doctors, family, and friends are brave enough to report their concerns before something bad happens.
Anyway if you are going to be a member of an open forum such as RP you probably need to learn not to judge people, learn how to constructively take other peoples opinions., and how to communicate without spewing hate and garbage.
Peace, love, democracy, and speedy recovery to all .
Please do not sprew it in my direction.
Making asinine comments like this does not help your cause, or for that matter the cause of any Veterans group out their......it enables the very folks you are trying fight against to use your "words" against you.
I have many friends with PTSD....I'm in the medical field and have treated many suffering from it's effects.
I myself have been diagnosed with it and struggle with my own demons.
I can honestly say that in the event I ever fall into the abyss I hope my doctors, family, and friends are brave enough to report their concerns before something bad happens.
Anyway if you are going to be a member of an open forum such as RP you probably need to learn not to judge people, learn how to constructively take other peoples opinions., and how to communicate without spewing hate and garbage.
Peace, love, democracy, and speedy recovery to all .
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I believe it was Senator Diane Feinstein who suggested that all veterans returning from combat theaters should be labeled as having PTSD, and therefore lose their Second Amendment rights based on psychological grounds. Perhaps the VA is working to carry out her plan.
I, personally, would never utilize the VA for any kind of psychological treatment for this reason and several others. To be honest, my experience with the VA medical service has been sub-par, and I would have to suspect that the psychological department is likely as bad or worse.
I, personally, would never utilize the VA for any kind of psychological treatment for this reason and several others. To be honest, my experience with the VA medical service has been sub-par, and I would have to suspect that the psychological department is likely as bad or worse.
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LCpl Brett McMeans
With the creation and implementation of Obama-care, seeking treatment from civilian medical providers will be no different due to the reporting requirements by the federal govt. I'm only speculating but any physician who doesn't report accurately and/or falsely "could be" subject to fines and/or loss of license to practice?
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SPC Carl K.
I commented on another post under this story about Pennsylvania's un-Constitutional revocation of gun rights over involuntary commitment. The sad part is that the act of commitment alone is enough to lose gun rights. It does not matter WHY the person was committed. With proper legal procedure, a formerly convicted felon can get his gun rights restored, but someone committed has no such recourse.
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If you are decided unfit to handle your money, you are also forced to sign your gun ownership rights aways. If you do not then you won't get paid. I know for a fact this is true.
David Shaffer
David Shaffer
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I have already lost mine. If I would not have signed mine away, I would have been denied benefits.
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SPC David Shaffer
I have an STBI, PTSD, arthritis from my bones being broken, and other problems related to the brain injury, so the answer is yes. There is no way I could have ever supported my family after I came out of the coma. I will have problems for the rest of my life because of it. There is no way I could ever afford the medications. The meds are not something I could function without, and because my brain injury was so bad, it puts me at a very high risk of other cognitive disorders such as Parkinson's and dementia.
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Sgt Jay Jones
SPC David Shaffer, I know exactly what you are talking about. I have Parkinson's and Dementia. My mind could snap at any moment. That's what Dementia does to you. Yes, the VA insisted that I get rid of my firearm or like you said no check. Like you I needed the check, because I had to quit my job because of my illnesses. Instead of fighting the VA on this issue. I made the decision to comply because I felt my families safety was worth more than my 2nd Amendment rights. When a person's mind snaps, you don't know what can happen. I love my family and I did not want to take that chance.
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Well, I'm in this situation. VA told me I was incompetent to handle my affairs. I cannot make financial decisions over $50.00. I had to sell my Colt Python 357 Magnum with it's 2 1/2 inch barrel. I have Dementia, knowing that my mind can snap at any moment. I decided my family's safety was more importantly than my 2nd Amendment rights.
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SGT Steve Oakes
It takes a truly honorable and courageous man to admit that, and put your family first. I am sorry that it came to that though.
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Sgt Jay Jones
Sgt Richard Buckner and Sgt Steve Oaks, thank you gentlemen for your kind words. Like most Vietnam Veterans we are dealing the effects of Agent Orange. That is my lot in life.
I have been blessed beyond measure in my life.
As long as I am looking down on the green grass instead of up at the brown roots it's a great day!
I have been blessed beyond measure in my life.
As long as I am looking down on the green grass instead of up at the brown roots it's a great day!
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They haven't come to take my guns and they haven't asked if I own any. When I have been asked about firearm ownership (by other "authorities" such as my kid's pediatrician) my answer is "none of your business."
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