First, although this is about a veteran being denied, for psychological reasons, his Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human right of the individual to keep and bear arms, it is not about H.R. 2640. I am passionately, vehemently opposed to the so-called NICS "Improvement" Act, but this brave man faces the same egregious treatment whether H.R. 2640 passes, or not.
You see, this man, who fought for our nation, who watched innumerable friends die for it, who suffered for it in ways that lesser men (myself, for example) will never comprehend, shares the disability from which I suffer. No--he's not paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair (as far as I know), but he is an Illinois resident. As anyone familiar with Illinois gun laws should know, this is a horrid affliction.
One of the symptoms of this condition is the state mandated requirement for a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to purchase or possess firearms and/or ammunition. The application for the FOID contains the following question:
In the past 5 years, have you been a patient in any medical facility or part of any medical facility used primarily for the care or treatment of persons for mental illness?When his FOID next comes up for renewal, he will have to answer "Yes" to that question (on pain of prison time). This is because he has sought treatment at a Veteran's Administration hospital for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has no record of violence (or even threatening violence), and has not shown indications of suicidal tendencies. He sought medical help from the VA because he does suffer from nightmares, insomnia, and some depression.
That is enough to deny him a FOID. Because the horrors he witnessed still trouble him, he will be denied the means to defend his life. Because he sought treatment for suffering he endured (and still endures) on behalf of this country, Illinois law mandates that he be thrown upon the tender mercies of any thug who means him harm.
What message does this send to war veterans in Illinois whose souls are scarred by the horrors they have witnessed? Deal with it yourself, or be disarmed. It says that the Veteran's Administration is in league with the Illinois State Police to either deny you the care you are owed, or to rob you of your Constitutional rights.
This is an outrage. This is disgusting. This is evil. This is Illinois.
Stumble it!
5 comments:
I'll let loose the ever present "think of the children" refrain the sheep belt out constantly.
Here's a man trained as a soldier, I can only assume that some expectations on what he might see are mentioned, who has problems dealing with what he saw.
Now thanks to the overlords a man will be denied the most basic of tools to defend his life.
How will those who see his body if, God forbid, he falls pray to those who have no qualms about breaking the law deal with the stress of seeing him dead, or mutilated?
Think of the children.
HH
Prepare for the worst, but answer honestly. If denied, appeal. If your appeal is denied, sue every one and every entity involved. I am sure you will get support from veterans groups and gun rights supporters everywhere.
I was born and raised in rural Illinois. Moved out in 1984 and it was one of my smarter decisions. After six months in my new home I applied for a concealed weapons permit and have had one ever since.
To the vet, fight or leave, your call, but in any case the once great state of Illinois does not deserve you. I once thought we could make a difference, but with the mass of Chicago voters marching in lockstep to their collective anti individual agenda I despair for the future of my birthplace.
Registration leads to confiscation.
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