From what I got from HR 2640 is that it’s not a Veterans Disarmament Act at all.  It’ just backs up a national background check system w/ people that have SEVERE mental illness that want to hurt themselves others. It’s really not even aimed at veterans at all.  It just got blown out of proportion. Unfortunately they the VA is an “institution” so that’s why people were making a fuss. Just b/c someone has PTSD doesn't mean they can't own firearms per this Act.  If they can handle their own affairs (work, family, finances, talking etc) and they are not a "danger to themselves or others", then they don't lose their rights to purchase/own firearms.  If they voluntarily sought mental help or filed a claim w/ the VA, then the same applies.  Just b/c one is diagnosed w/ PTSD doesn't mean they're mentally incompetent.  That, of course, depends upon the degree of PTSD.  Also a lot of police officers are ex military and/ or may have PTSD from their line of work.  They’d have to fire a lot police officers.

I’m friends w/ a Marine who spent several tours in combat zones.  After his last tour in Iraq, he had several "episodes".  On one occasion his mother knocked him from the kitchen into the living room w/ a frying pan.  She's a pretty calm lady too.  His parents immediately sold his guns.  He got help through the VA.  He goes to VA for counseling and has been diagnosed w/ PTSD among other things.  A short while after that, his parents let him buy firearms again.  He bought a .308 rifle and a 1911 .45.  He also just got his Texas Concealed Handgun License.  He had no problems w/ any of that.  While I won't give details, I will tell you that I went to the VA for help and it is documented in my medical records.  I had no problems when I bought my rifle. 

I'm no doctor, I'm no politician and I do not claim to be anything like that.  I may be completely wrong on my interpretation of this Act.  If I find out that this act will take away my rights to own firearms, then they can come and get take them.  Seriously, if it comes to that just say that they're your wife's guns or have a family member keep them.  Or "sell" ;-) them to a neighbor.  I think we'll be fine so don't sell your guns anytime soon.  If you've dealt w/ the VA then you know it'll take them forever to send the information to the background check system anyway.

I haven't  had  trouble  buying  a  gun yet  either. I have learned  not  to put  myself  in positions  where  I might  have  an "episode" and  hurt someone. I have  been out  since  dec 2004  and I can honestly  say that yes  i'm still keyed up. I have  really  been reading alot  about  this  and  its  already  caught  some  guys. They were  "too honest" as  it was said. Some  states have  the  state form as well as the ATF forms we all fill out. The  bill was a tradeoff that the NRA backed so yesterday I called  and canceled my subscription I have  had for  so long. I know  that  the  suicide  rates  have  soared among the  branches, and  its  very sad. These  guys  didn't knock over a  liquor store, they just have problems. I see this as a stepping stone  in gun control I think. Get to one step and then take another. My  wife  will tell you  that  I'm a  nut job, but I never ever want  to have  to hurt anyone ever again. I aviod places  it  could  happen. I haven't been in a  bar  in years now. I could  never turn my  back on another Marine  or  brother veteran, we  depend  on each other too much. I don't  know  of  too many  guys  that  ask for  this  war. For  those  of  us  who did  go, we  lived a part of  history. That  does make  me  proud. Semper Fi

Of course you are still keyed up.  It’s only been 5 years and you can't just turn that off.  There's no magic off button.  It is probably best that we all avoid bars.  It’s good that you're avoiding them too.  We get drunk; we get stupid.  When we're older and married nothing good ever comes out of getting smashed at a bar or nightclub.  Of course it was fun single w/ a fake ID at 18 and fresh out of boot camp.  Getting arrested, getting into a fight, injuring or killing someone, going to the hospital, cheating on your spouse, or putting yourself in a position to cheat on her.  Plus if we go out alone and get drunk, who's going to drive us home.  If you drink at all, do what I do and drink at home or drink w/ friends.  Don't drink alone or don't get smashed among strangers especially mouthy strangers.  Your guns will get taken away by other reasons than HR2640.  My wife thinks I'm nut job too, LOL.  That crap used to come out when I was drinking, but I learned to control it.  I almost got mine taken away b/c I got stupid one evening.  We just need to maintain control, talk about it, and it would probably best if we stop drinking altogether.  When I'm watching college football or hanging out w/ buddies, I’m drinking.  Basically we don't need to give the authorities a reason to take away our rights to have guns.  I never went through a 12-18 month combat tour so I can't say what you guys are going through.  My (unofficial) experience only lasted like 15 minutes where five soldiers died.  One was my roommate.  Your experience last much longer and is still fresh, mine was in 1998 so I've had time.  Plus I have two kids, an 8 and a 2 year old so my time and money are occupied. 

That's why I love hunting and fishing.  When I have a deer in my sights or a fish on the line, nothing else matters.  For those few moments I'm free.  I'm not worrying about the mortgage, work, school, or nothing.  The government may be able to stop me from buying more, but they won't take away the ones I have now.  If ex-cons and other criminals find ways to have guns, then we should too.  There are ways around the system I'm sure.  I hope it doesn't come to that.