Veterans Disarmament Act signed into Law Jan 8

HR 2640, Or the 'Veterans Disarmament Act', Signed by the President, January
8, 2008 and became Public Law.
Troublesome because HR 2640 will deny thousands of American combat veterans
the right to possess, own and carry a firearm. This bill strips Americas
finest of their rights under the Second Amendment of the United States
Constitution, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. There is a reason why Ron Paul has
more financial support from the military and veterans than any other
Republican Presidential candidate. Ron Paul, a lone voice, strongly opposed
this bill.

Letter of public record: WALTER A. MURRAY, JR.
Attorney at law
July 25, 2007
Senator John Barrasso

RE: HR 2640
Dear Senator Barrasso:

It is troublesome that I feel compelled to write this letter. Troublesome
because HR 2640, as I read it, will deny thousands of American combat
veterans the right to possess, own and carry a firearm. This bill strips
Americas finest of their rights under the Second Amendment of the United
States Constitution, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

While at the Veterans Hospital at Ft. Meade a few weeks ago, I was
approached by five Vietnam Veterans who were waiting for their group session
to start(PTSD). One of the Veterans knew I was an attorney and had been a
judge in Wyoming. The question put to me was would they lose their Second
Amendment Rights under HR 2640. It was lucky that I had read portions of
this bill so I could give them a tentative answer. That answer was "You
probably will loose your rights under the Second Amendment". Four of the
five men had concealed weapons permits, three from South Dakota and one from
Wyoming. The fifth gentlemen was an avid hunter and owned rifles.
Concealed weapons permits issued by the State of Wyoming are done after an
exhaustive Federal, State, and local records and back ground checks. I have
been told that South Dakota goes through the same back ground checks as
Wyoming.

I could go through HR 2640 in this letter in great detail, but I know you
have or will screen this bill with a fine tooth comb, so I will direct the
remainder of this letter to my 38 years dealing with people suffering from
PTSD and those not. As you know I have been a private attorney, part time
court commissioner and part time Juvenile Court Referee in California. In
Wyoming I have been a private attorney, a prosecutor, a County Court Judge,
and a Senior Assistant Public Defender.

I have testified in court on the issue of a persons mental state. Due to
the nature of my profession I have read much on dysfunctional psychology as
well as observing this issue first hand. It has been my experience that
those suffering from PTSD are no more likely to do harm to themselves or to
others than a "normal" person. In fact, those suffering from PTSD and have
sought help are less likely to do harm to themselves or others than "normal"
folks.

This bill is a double blow to those with PTSD. The 83,000 veterans diagnosed
with PTSD, never given due process, had their names added to the Brady
Instant Check Data Base to prevent these veterans from buying guns. HR 2640
will by law prevent this class of people from buying, owning or possessing
guns. More names of veterans will be added to this list with the billion
dollars called for in the bill.

I would request that you consider the harm this bill will do to law abiding
citizens who have served their country and now suffer from PTSD. A no vote
seems to be the only vote appropriate for this bill.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
Walter A. Murray, Jr.
Attorney At Law

January 8, 2008