In a contentious vote that has ignited outrage among Second Amendment advocates, 193 members of the House of Representatives recently voted against an amendment aimed at protecting veterans’ gun rights, as reported by Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News in their latest video. The amendment, part of a broader appropriations bill, seeks to prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from using bureaucratic regulations to disarm veterans. This decision has been described by critics as a betrayal of those who have served the country.
Background on H.R. 8580
The Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025 (H.R. 8580) included provisions to protect veterans from being disarmed by the VA through backdoor gun control measures. Specifically, the bill aimed to stop the VA from reporting veterans who need help managing their finances to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as “prohibited persons.”
The Controversial Amendment
Representative Eli Crane introduced an amendment to H.R. 8580 to ensure that veterans are not stripped of their Second Amendment rights simply because they require assistance with their finances. This amendment sought to block the VA from using its current regulations to disarm veterans who check a box indicating they need fiduciary assistance, which has often led to them being unfairly reported to the NICS.
The Vote and Its Implications
Despite the amendment passing with a vote of 211-193, the fact that 193 representatives voted against it has sparked significant backlash. Critics argue that these representatives are disregarding the constitutional rights of veterans who have sacrificed for their country. The amendment’s passage means it will now be part of the final bill, which will be voted on again and then sent to the Senate. However, President Biden has indicated he would veto the bill if it includes this amendment.
Breakdown of the Vote
The vote saw a clear partisan divide, with nearly all Democrats voting against the amendment. However, seven Democrats broke ranks to support the amendment, recognizing the importance of protecting veterans’ rights. These representatives were Henry Cuellar (TX), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Jared Golden (ME), Mary Peltola (AK), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), Gabe Vasquez (NM), and Marc Veasey (TX).
Response from Second Amendment Advocates
Gun Owners of America (GOA) and other advocacy groups have praised the amendment’s passage but remain critical of the 193 representatives who opposed it. They argue that this vote is part of a broader effort to erode Second Amendment rights through bureaucratic means. Thomas Massie, a strong advocate for gun rights, highlighted how the VA’s regulations could potentially affect not only veterans but also the general population if similar measures are applied more broadly.
The Veterans’ Perspective
Many veterans and their advocates feel betrayed by the vote. They argue that needing help with finances should not equate to losing the right to bear arms. Veterans’ groups emphasize that these individuals have risked their lives for their country and should not be subjected to what they see as discriminatory practices that infringe on their fundamental rights.
Potential Consequences
The debate over this amendment underscores a significant concern: the potential for bureaucratic overreach to infringe on constitutional rights. If the amendment is ultimately vetoed or fails to become law, veterans will continue to face the risk of being disarmed based on their need for fiduciary assistance. This situation also sets a precedent that could impact other segments of the population in the future.
Violating Their Oath to the Constitution
People in the comments are outraged by this: “193 of these traitors are worried that veterans will stand against them one day ……. They are scared”
Another commenter added: “All 193 should be removed from office and put in prison for violating their oath to the Constitution!”
Finally, one person concluded: “Not one single veteran who upholds their oath needs to worry about any of this. We gotcha covered.”
Call to Action
Advocates for veterans’ rights and Second Amendment supporters are calling for increased public awareness and political pressure to ensure that the amendment remains part of the final bill. They urge citizens to contact their representatives and express support for the protection of veterans’ gun rights. Additionally, organizations like GOA are mobilizing efforts to counter the White House’s lobbying against the bill.
Protecting Veterans’ Rights
The recent vote on H.R. 8580 has highlighted a critical issue at the intersection of veterans’ rights and gun control. As the bill moves through the legislative process, its outcome will have significant implications for veterans and potentially for broader Second Amendment rights. Advocates continue to push for the protection of these rights, emphasizing the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by those who have served the nation.
Infringement of Constitutional Rights
What do you think? Should veterans be disarmed based on their need for fiduciary assistance, or does this infringe on their constitutional rights? How can the government balance public safety with protecting the rights of veterans? What are the potential broader implications of using bureaucratic regulations to restrict gun ownership?
To dive deeper into this topic, check out the full video on the Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News YouTube channel here.
