VA Secretary's Statement on the Signing of the PACT Act
"The PACT Act is a historic new law that will help VA deliver for millions of Veterans — and their survivors — by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Vets suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions. It will also bring generations of Veterans into VA health care, which will improve Veteran health outcomes across the board.
We at VA are ready to implement the PACT Act and deliver for toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. If you think you might be eligible for PACT Act benefits, here’s what you need to know:
We at VA are ready to implement the PACT Act and deliver for toxic-exposed Veterans and their survivors. If you think you might be eligible for PACT Act benefits, here’s what you need to know:
- You can apply for PACT Act-related benefits now by filing a claim at VA.
- As President Biden announced at the bill signing, we are making all 23 presumptive conditions in the PACT Act eligible for benefits effective today, August 10.
- You can learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MyVA411.
Veterans and Gun Safety (Research from multiple sources)
Introduction: Finding Common Ground:
- Guns are fundamentally “demystified” for those who have served in the military. Weapons are perceived as a necessary tool, not an object of empowerment. As a tool, the focus is on gaining practical knowledge and becoming a competent user.
- All military members learn at least the basics about firearms when they enlist, even if their service does not require regular use/or combat.
- Veterans leave service with vastly different experiences, but at least minimum training is ensured. In contrast, while firearms instructors recommend that gun owners practice and seek out training on an ongoing basis, civilians are not required by law to do this. This highly variable (depending on state) and lower standard concerns most veterans today.
Differing Perspectives:
- A growing number of veterans see public safety benefits to the restriction of widespread civilian access to powerful, highly destructive weapons that were designed for military use.
- At the same time, other veterans (especially those with combat experience, are reluctant to surrender their access to their weapons after returning to civilian life.
- Over half of gun owning veterans do NOT employ safe storage practices, even with minor children in the home.
- The VA now outwardly supports and promotes safe storage practices with an emphasis on placing time impediments to try to reduce gun suicides.
Veteran Concerns about gun safety laws:
- Some veterans are afraid to pursue a PTSD claim, or any other mental health claim, because they are afraid they will no longer be allowed to own guns. However, for the most part, a veteran who has a PTSD diagnosis need not fear losing his or her weapons.
Why “Recruit” and Promote Veterans as Gun Safety Advocates?
- Most civilians view veterans as having a uniquely consistent level of credibility and knowledge on the subject of gun safety.
- A higher proportion of veterans tend to own guns following their time in the military relative to the rest of the general population.
- Veterans also trend proportionally higher when it comes to suicide by “lethal means” and therefore have a vested interest in helping the broader military community address the issue.
- Veterans are a largely under-represented population demographic to have a voice on gun safety. It’s time for that to change.
What Should the Veterans Caucus Focus be for Veterans and Gun Safety?
- Insist that the VA emphasize Safe Storage practices to all separating military personnel and become more visible with their message in the military community.
- Insist that the VA improve their practices of sharing documented mental illness diagnoses (treating all but severe PTSD diagnoses differently) with appropriate state/federal authorities so that people who should not have access to guns will not get them.
- Insist that all veterans and active duty military families have access to free gun locks and clear information about state law concerning safe storage of weapons and ammunition.
Introduction: Finding Common Ground:
- Guns are fundamentally “demystified” for those who have served in the military. Weapons are perceived as a necessary tool, not an object of empowerment. As a tool, the focus is on gaining practical knowledge and becoming a competent user.
- All military members learn at least the basics about firearms when they enlist, even if their service does not require regular use/or combat.
- Veterans leave service with vastly different experiences, but at least minimum training is ensured. In contrast, while firearms instructors recommend that gun owners practice and seek out training on an ongoing basis, civilians are not required by law to do this. This highly variable (depending on state) and lower standard concerns most veterans today.
Differing Perspectives:
- A growing number of veterans see public safety benefits to the restriction of widespread civilian access to powerful, highly destructive weapons that were designed for military use.
- At the same time, other veterans (especially those with combat experience, are reluctant to surrender their access to their weapons after returning to civilian life.
- Over half of gun owning veterans do NOT employ safe storage practices, even with minor children in the home.
- The VA now outwardly supports and promotes safe storage practices with an emphasis on placing time impediments to try to reduce gun suicides.
Veteran Concerns about gun safety laws:
- Some veterans are afraid to pursue a PTSD claim, or any other mental health claim, because they are afraid they will no longer be allowed to own guns. However, for the most part, a veteran who has a PTSD diagnosis need not fear losing his or her weapons.
Why “Recruit” and Promote Veterans as Gun Safety Advocates?
- Most civilians view veterans as having a uniquely consistent level of credibility and knowledge on the subject of gun safety.
- A higher proportion of veterans tend to own guns following their time in the military relative to the rest of the general population.
- Veterans also trend proportionally higher when it comes to suicide by “lethal means” and therefore have a vested interest in helping the broader military community address the issue.
- Veterans are a largely under-represented population demographic to have a voice on gun safety. It’s time for that to change.
What Should the Veterans Caucus Focus be for Veterans and Gun Safety?
- Insist that the VA emphasize Safe Storage practices to all separating military personnel and become more visible with their message in the military community.
- Insist that the VA improve their practices of sharing documented mental illness diagnoses (treating all but severe PTSD diagnoses differently) with appropriate state/federal authorities so that people who should not have access to guns will not get them.
- Insist that all veterans and active duty military families have access to free gun locks and clear information about state law concerning safe storage of weapons and ammunition.