Armed Forces News

A group of retired flag-rank officers has come forward against pending legislation that could allow mentally ill veterans to own firearms. In a March 14 letter to House and Senate leaders from both parties, the Veterans Coalition for Common Sense expressed “grave concern” for the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, in light of the significant number of suicides among veterans. Among the retired officers who signed the letter are: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen; Army Gens. Peter W. Chiarelli, Wesley Clark, Michael V. Hayden, James T. Hill and Stanley A. McChrystal; retired Navy Adm. Eric T. Olson; and four Army lieutenant generals, one Navy rear admiral, and a Marine Corps brigadier general. The bill is H.R. 629, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. Introduced by Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, it is now under consideration by the House Veterans’ Affairs disability assistance and memorial affairs subcommittee.