The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has described firearms as "the most lethal means of suicide." When someone is in crisis, easy access to a gun can turn a temporary moment into a permanent tragedy.
In 2023 alone, 6,398 veterans died by suicide—an average of more than 17 per day. Three-quarters of those deaths involved a firearm.
That's why Congress should oppose H.R. 1041/S. 478, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
For decades, the VA shared critical information with the FBI's background check system on veterans with serious mental health conditions—like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression—as required by federal law and with strong due process protections in place. This practice helped protect at-risk veterans from the irreversible harm that can result when someone in crisis has access to a firearm.
In March 2024, this information-sharing came to a stop when Congress blocked the VA from reporting records to the background checks system except in very limited circumstances. In doing so, Congress put the lives of those who have served at even greater risk.
And now, rather than working to reduce veteran suicide or unblock the VA from sharing information, Congress is trying to make this block permanent with the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
Veterans risked their lives to protect our country. We must protect them here at home.
Send a message today urging your federal lawmakers to OPPOSE the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 1041/S.478):
Dear Lawmaker,
As your constituent, I urge you to oppose H.R. 1041/S. 478, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act.
Veteran suicide is a national crisis. In 2023 alone, 6,398 veterans died by suicide—more than 17 per day. Three-quarters of those deaths involved a firearm.
For decades, until March 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported certain veterans with serious, diagnosed mental health conditions to the federal background check system, as required by law. The VA's process included strong due process protections and was based on clear medical evidence.
In March 2024, Congress took steps to block the VA from sharing records on these veterans with the background check system except in very limited circumstances. As a result, the VA stopped reporting, making it easier than ever for at-risk veterans to access firearms—what the VA itself has called "the most lethal means of suicide."
At a time when Congress should be doing everything in its power to protect veterans from the irreversible harm that can occur when someone in crisis has access to a firearm, H.R. 1041/S. 478 would do just the opposite.
Please vote NO on H.R. 1041/S. 478.
Thank you.