WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress approved an amendment Thursday night offered by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) that prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from sending veterans’ names to the Department of Justice for a background check simply because they need help managing their finances. Under current law, when the VA appoints a fiduciary to help veterans with their finances, the veterans’ personal information is forwarded to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System without judicial review or due process.

“The VA Fiduciary Rule says that, if you’re a veteran who needs help with your finances, you’re a ‘mental defective’ who needs to be screened by the government to own a firearm. What an insult to the men and women who have served,” said Bost. “No veteran should be considered ‘defective’ simply because they need help managing their finances; and they certainly shouldn’t be forwarded to DOJ for additional screening because of it. I can think of no American I’d trust more to responsibly own a firearm than a veteran. I’m pleased the House passed my amendment to stop this unconstitutional assault on the rights of our veterans.”

Bost’s amendment was included in the yearly funding bill for military construction and veterans’ programs. It was endorsed by leading Second Amendment organizations, including the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and the National Association for Gun Rights. Bost’s effort was also backed by Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.