The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing crucial resources for military veterans, aiming to dispel widespread misconceptions that prevent many veterans from seeking healthcare from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The webpage features a fact sheet titled “Correcting Mistaken Beliefs about VA Confiscating Veterans’ Guns,” which addresses concerns among veterans who fear that seeking medical care—especially mental health care—could lead to the confiscation of their firearms. This fear, while common, is based on misinformation, according to the NSSF.
“Understanding the facts about this topic can help veterans make informed decisions about seeking the health care they are entitled to,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi in a statement. “This care can range from a routine checkup to a hip replacement to screening for PTSD to mental health care.”
The fact sheet explains that many veterans mistakenly believe that using VA health services will jeopardize their right to own firearms, particularly when it comes to mental health treatment. The goal of the document is to ensure veterans have accurate information regarding their rights.
The webpage also highlights several NSSF initiatives aimed at supporting veterans, including suicide prevention programs, a career center listing job opportunities within the firearm industry—where thousands of veterans are employed—and the organization’s support for Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA), which helps reintegrate disabled combat veterans through hunting and shooting sports.
“NSSF and its member companies proudly support America’s military service veterans,” reads a statement on the website. “On this page, NSSF shares information and resources that can benefit veterans’ health and resiliency, and that highlights their importance as employees and leaders in America’s firearm industry.”
The fact sheet, developed by the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, is written in a Q&A format and aims to clarify veterans’ concerns regarding healthcare, disability claims, and gun ownership rights. By collaborating with other organizations, the NSSF hopes to spread the message that seeking VA healthcare does not endanger veterans’ Second Amendment rights.
To read the complete fact sheet or learn more about the NSSF’s veterans-focused initiatives, visit the NSSF’s dedicated eveterans webpage.
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