[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE VETERANS' HERITAGE FIREARMS ACT

  (Mr. REHBERG asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. REHBERG. During World War II and the Korean War, veterans serving 
overseas often brought back firearms collected on the battlefield. 
These were trophies of their service, not tools for criminal activity. 
And yet, after fighting for the preservation of our freedom, a badly 
written law has made criminals out of American heroes. Unless weapons 
have been registered with the Federal Government, the veteran, or their 
heir, can be convicted of illegally possessing the firearm.
  This is an offense of justice. That is why I have introduced the 
Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act, which provides a limited amnesty for 
veterans who possess these relics to register their firearms without 
fear of prosecution. This amnesty also extends to any lawful heirs who 
inherited these weapons.
  It's time to stop treating our veterans like criminals. It's time to 
start treating them like the heroes that they are.

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