VA: Does Not Have The Authority To Confiscate Weapons

Fears that VA will confiscate Navy vet's guns lead to protest
Associated Press
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI
Published: August 6, 2015

Veteran Affairs spokesman Bret Bowers confirmed a letter had been sent to Arnold from the VA's benefits office in Salt Lake City, but he said that VA policy prohibits discussing individual health records without consent. Bowers added that the agency doesn't have the authority to confiscate weapons.

BOISE, Idaho — A group of residents in northern Idaho lined up outside a Navy veteran's house Thursday to protest claims that federal officials are planning to confiscate the man's weapons.

Idaho Republican state Rep. Heather Scott of Blanchard said the Veteran Affairs office has sent a letter to John Arnold of Priest River warning him that he cannot possess or purchase firearms.

The protest —spearheaded by Scott— attracted about 100 people. Among them were Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who promised to stand guard against any federal attempts to remove Arnold's guns, and Republican Washington state Rep. Matthew Shea of Spokane Valley, who described the event as a "defiance against tyranny."

"I took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and uphold the laws of Idaho," Wheeler said. "This seemed appropriate to show my support. I was going to make sure Mr. Arnold's rights weren't going to be breached."
read more here