By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A Newsweek report about a “deal” between congressional leaders which “includes an attempt to ease some veterans’ access to gun ownership, even when they are deemed “mentally incompetent” to handle their own finances” has been deemed “left-leaning” and “unfair” by readers responding to the story.
The report concerned problems veterans have been experiencing due to the Department of Veterans Affairs apparently reporting the names of veterans unable to manage their finances, or might be “struggling with their health.” Gun Owners of America reportedly has been campaigning to overturn the law in an effort to restore Second Amendment rights to veterans whose names were submitted to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, (NICS) without a judge’s order, Newsweek explained.
But the “Fairness Meter” is something new, and in this case, people who have read the article have turned thumbs down.
The report notes that the VA has been opposed to changing the law on the grounds that it “could thwart efforts to prevent suicide among veterans.” Data from the agency “shows the rate of suicides among veterans is increasing.”
“In 2021,” Newsweek reported, “the department reported, suicide was the 13th-leading cause of death for veterans overall and the second-leading cause of death for veterans under age 45. The department also reported a total of 6,392 veteran suicide deaths in that year, 114 more than in 2020.”
The “deal” involves a $436 billion funding package. Republicans reportedly want to eliminate the gun prohibition problem faced by many veterans.
According to the Newsweek report, there are six bills in the funding package, and they must still pass the House. The story said the Freedom Caucus “is expected to oppose” the funding package.
