Giffords Advocates Increased Gun Control for Veterans

Giffords Advocates for Stronger Gun Laws for Veterans on Veterans Day 2025

On Veterans Day 2025, the gun control organization founded by Gabby Giffords is urging for enhanced gun laws affecting veterans who rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for services.

In a post on X, Giffords pointed out the concerning statistics: since 2006, nearly 20 times more veterans have died by suicide compared to military personnel who died in combat. “Veterans deserve more than empty words. They deserve leaders who will work to protect them,” she stated. Yet, she noted that many Congressional members obstruct the VA’s ability to notify veterans when they are at a heightened risk of harming themselves or being unable to own firearms.

Giffords criticized Republican efforts aimed at removing the long-standing ban on veterans’ gun rights as a common-sense move that still requires veterans to be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) when they seek financial assistance.

Breitbart News has reported for years that veterans who utilize fiduciaries for managing their finances might face being reported to the VA, which in turn could lead to restrictions on their gun ownership. The simple act of seeking financial help, even temporarily, is often viewed as a mental health concern, leading to loss of gun rights.

Moreover, a report from February 2016 indicated that veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were increasingly hesitant to seek help for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They feared that a PTSD diagnosis might impact their gun rights under the previous administration. One anonymous veteran, who uses a wheelchair, expressed his frustrations to Breitbart News, saying he constantly worried about losing his gun rights each time he visited a doctor.

Additionally, earlier this year, Republican Rep. Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL, discussed with Breitbart News how Democratic lawmakers supporting the current system, which allows bureaucrats to revoke gun rights, argue it’s for the sake of reducing veterans’ suicides—particularly among combat veterans. However, Crane voiced his disagreement, stating, “When it comes to suicide, many veterans suffer from PTSD and related issues. The main problem is fear and trauma. Taking away their guns, in fact, may only increase feelings of vulnerability.” He believes removing firearms might exacerbate the issues rather than alleviate them.