Comprehensive background checks for gun permit applicants is a concept that almost everyone supports.
Individuals who have been deemed “mentally incompetent” should not have easy access to guns, right?
Well believe it or not, the US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would actually remove 170,000 mental health records from NICS, the background check systems that gun dealers have to access prior to making a sale.
Bill HR1181 would remove the mental health records of veterans who have been deemed “mentally incompetent” or “mentally incapacitated”. This bill has passed the House, however, the Senate has not yet voted on this bill, but will likely vote after their spring recess. In 2014, an average of 20 veterans committed suicide each day, but this bill would put guns into the hands of those who are most vulnerable. This bill is disguised as an attempt to honor our veterans for their service, but really it puts them in danger. They protected us and paid a heavy price, now its our turn to help them. Click here to take action.
We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to call your Senators’ offices and urge them to vote NO on HR1181 (The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act). They are our last hope in stopping this bill from putting our veterans in danger and guns into the hands of individuals during a mental health crisis.
If you live in Massachusetts, the contact information for your senators can be found below. If you are from another state, you can select your state in this directory to find your senators’ phone numbers.
Alternatively, you can send an email your senators by clicking here. Remember: phone calls can be more effective!
MA Sen. Edward Markey – (202) 224-2742
MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren – (202) 224-4543
Thank you for reading and for making your voice heard!