Iraq Veteran Stripped of RKBA ...

[montezumaz]

... Courtesy of the VA

Iraq Veteran Stripped of Right To Bear Arms - KFSM

 

[luangtom]

This is but another method of the government getting back-door gun-control. They cannot prohibit ownership via legislative means, so they will implement all of the controls that they can via administrative and bureaucratic methods.

It is time for the citizens of this country to take back their government from the bureaucrats and professional politicians. Voter mandates in November should send a message and the preservation of the Second Amendment needs to be a part of that message. We should all contact our legislators, federal and state, and get them to sign-on to preservation of veterans' rights and mandate the government to honor these rights and not have blanket authority to withhold these rights from anyone. Vote in November and write your federal and state people now.

 

[oldman45]

If his wife is able to own guns, then there is no reason why there cannot be guns in the home.

The article I read did not go into detail about his medical condition. If he spent time in a mental ward due to PSD, then he may not be able to own weapons. A lack of a violent actions in the past does not mean it would not be in the future.

I find it difficult to believe that this man would be singled out for no apparent reason. My best guess is he was found to be unstable by those that have dealt with him medically and knows his history.

People with PSD have caused death and injury to many over the years, There may be reasons the media was not aware of and HIPPA keeps medical records private so the full story may never be known.

 

[oamaam]

The VA gave him the label of PSD, Incompetent and what ever else is on his file. So with that said, he needs to fight that first, and than the rest should fall into place. When reading the article read the comments also. There's more to this than what is in the article.

 

[oldman45]

The VA gave him the label of PSD, Incompetent and what ever else is on his file. So with that said, he needs to fight that first, and than the rest should fall into place. When reading the article read the comments also. There's more to this than what is in the article.

It may well be that he is not violent but rather suicidal. Many have lost the right to have firearms due to expressing publically they would rather die.

Again, there is too much not being told for any reader to make a decsion in this matter.

I have dealt with violent felons that expressed concerns that they ought to be able to keep their guns. Some of these were former US soldiers. I am sorry but being a vet does not mean one is going to continue to be qualified to own a gun.

If doctors with years of training and education feels someone should not have a gun, then I will trust their decision.

 

[imjin138]

This is a hard one to answer, but like oldman45 I have met many felons who claim veteran status, in fact we have a Vet coordinator in the system to help with V.A. benifits for them.

As far as the diagnosis by the V.A. doctors I remember a post from a few months ago that warned of this. I have spoken to Vets who avoid the doctors just because of this and forgo any monetary benifit. I am sure that he could find doctors for a different opinion.

 

[oamaam]

It may well be that he is not violent but rather suicidal. Many have lost the right to have firearms due to expressing publically they would rather die.

Again, there is too much not being told for any reader to make a decsion in this matter.

I have dealt with violent felons that expressed concerns that they ought to be able to keep their guns. Some of these were former US soldiers. I am sorry but being a vet does not mean one is going to continue to be qualified to own a gun.

If doctors with years of training and education feels someone should not have a gun, then I will trust their decision.

Being a Veteran, and going to the VA, you see things in people that make you think twice. I do not think that needs explanation. Regarding this vets situation, the story is incomplete, and there's allot more to it than what we're seeing.

Different area, and different views.

 

[n4zov]

We have no way of knowing what all the facts are in this situation, so I don't want to take a side one way or the other. However, one statement in the article struck me as odd: "The ATF has told the Irelans that they could go to jail if a firearm is found in their home." So, Mrs. Irelan looses her Second Amendment rights too? So everybody in the home gets locked up because one family member suffers from a mental illness. That doesn't sound logical.

 

[oldman45]

We have no way of knowing what all the facts are in this situation, so I don't want to take a side one way or the other. However, one statement in the article struck me as odd: "The ATF has told the Irelans that they could go to jail if a firearm is found in their home." So, Mrs. Irelan looses her Second Amendment rights too? So everybody in the home gets locked up because one family member suffers from a mental illness. That doesn't sound logical.

The same thing happens with a convicted felon in the household. A family member can own firearms but they have to be locked out of reach from the felon. G. Gordon Liddy was unable to own but his wife could so all guns stayed in her gun safe. My bet is Mr Liddy could access any gun he wanted.

I would like to add that some medication will take away the right to carry or purchase. A friend of mine was being treated for mental depression and on a medicine that caused the State Police to turn him down for a permit. He could not buy a firearm either. This man is an attorney and not a vet. After he was taken off the meds for six months, he got his gun permit and able to buy guns.

 

[watchmanjimg]

My main concern is that that SGT Irelan is restored to health. The rest will take care of itself. As others have pointed out, there's no conspiracy or irregularity here. The right to purchase or carry firearms has long been subject to one's being free from disability, whether legal or medical in nature.

 

[oldman45]

There is a lot more to this story if one will google the guy. But it may be best to read this blog before too long.

John Lott's Website

 

[5906fan]

I don't know about other VA medical facilitys but the hospital at Oteen N.C. has an entrance sign up stateing 'no firearms allowed on this property'. I don't agree with it but I follow the rules because as stated in earlier post I can see where some vet could get angry over some situation - and believe me there are 'situations' in the VA system. just a few months back an angry vet pulled out a shotty and started waveing it around, turned out to be no loaded and the VA cops talked hin into giveing it up no shooting involved. IIRC it's not the only time that's happened and I personally know a vet (unfortunately he does have real problems) that pulled out a large live rattlesnake he had in his auto in a sack - he was going to sell it to a nearby snake collector) and got to waveing it around in the reception area. he is fairly well known there and some of the gaurds talked him into takeing it outside. he told me them old vets was smoking the tires on their wheelchairs hauling ash away from him and the ones on crutches was sprinting. he ran outside into some bushes unaware the fence was behind it and hit a fence pole knocking himself out. promptly taken to the section 8 ward for 2 weeks 'rest'.
lucky for me a relative lives nearby about 5 miles away so I go to her place and drop off my CCW then go the VA for my bizz.
I hope sgt irelan gets the treatment he deserves.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have also noted the questioning at my VA clinic visits. I just explain to them how happy I am to be alive, living in a house with no mortgage, enjoying 9 grandchildren and a great-grandson! Life is good for me.

I remember reading G. Gordon Liddy's autobiography "Will" in which he explained that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms, but his wife had an extensive collection some of which were stored on his side of the bed.

Interesting approach to the problem. They may be able to get away with restricting Sgt. Irlan's 2nd Amendment rights, but there is no way to extend such restrictions to other members of his household.

 

[PDL]

Just in for my routine 6 mo. visit checking my BP etc. Primary care doc was pissed that he had to ask those questions. I told him I loved the world, didn't want to commit suicide and didn't see any munchkins or green men in the yard. Well two out of three ain't bad.

Damn stupid, but it goes along with this administrations notion that all returning vets could be terrorists.

Seems like there was some bill introduced that would get the vets their rights back after a diagnosis of PTSD. I think the opposition blocked that, but I'm not sure.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

If his wife is able to own guns, then there is no reason why there cannot be guns in the home.

The article I read did not go into detail about his medical condition. If he spent time in a mental ward due to PSD, then he may not be able to own weapons. A lack of a violent actions in the past does not mean it would not be in the future.

I find it difficult to believe that this man would be singled out for no apparent reason. My best guess is he was found to be unstable by those that have dealt with him medically and knows his history.

People with PSD have caused death and injury to many over the years, There may be reasons the media was not aware of and HIPPA keeps medical records private so the full story may never be known.

My understanding is that one needs to be declared incompitant by a judge in order for it to have the force of law. Otherwise we'd have anti-gun therapists and docs declareing people insain all the time.

 

[daveh75]

My 2 cents...: along with others I agree that there is a lot missing from the posted link...on the one side we re-deploy soldiers with PTSD and don't have "mass-murders" happening in FOBs/COBs etc...on the other each case of PTSD is unique and while some live with it and have no violent outbreaks others don't...I may have missed it in the original article and in the discussion forum posted by another member, but I have to agree with springfeildkid as I also thought that there has to be some legal authority who decides competency based upon medical review prior to any prohibition...

 

[Steve in Vermont]

My main concern is that SGT Irelan is restored to health. The rest will take care of itself. As others have pointed out, there's no conspiracy or irregularity here. The right to purchase or carry firearms has long been subject to one's being free from disability, whether legal or medical in nature.

Good point. The 2nd Amendment is a right that comes with responsibilities.

 

[kraigwy]

My concern is (leaving this individual case out) is how many vets will refuse to seek help because of the fear of loosing their 2nd Amend. rights?

I'm afraid way too many. Not all PTSD people are dangerous, but still need help.

 

[CelticSire]

The Veterans Administration did not take away the soldier's 2A rights. His Concealed Carry Permit was revoked by Arkansas, not the VA. Soldier goes to the VA for treatment, gets the treatment he needs, and the state takes action based on that treatment. And now everybody wants to blame the VA.

 

[Retired W4]

My concern is (leaving this individual case out) is how many vets will refuse to seek help because of the fear of loosing their 2nd Amend. rights?

I'm afraid way too many. Not all PTSD people are dangerous, but still need help.

There are way more than you could imagine. Trust me, I know!