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Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) has signed on to co-sponsor the Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act (H.R. 420), legislation which protects veterans from unfair prosecution because they keep lawfully procured war relic firearms acquired during World War II and the Korean War.

Though the guns covered by the bill serve primarily as trophies in the homes of veterans, the passage of the Gun Control Act in 1968 required veterans to register any relic firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act within 30 days. As such, many veterans whom were unaware of the obligation or were uncertain whether their mementos required registration were left with unregistered relic firearms.

Current law states that veterans (or their heirs) who possesses firearms unregistered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record may be convicted of illegally possessing the firearm and the firearm may be seized and destroyed.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) and endorsed by the National Rifle Association, would provide limited amnesty for veterans who served overseas between June 26, 1934, and Oct. 31, 1968, to register their firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. This would also extend to the veterans’ heirs who inherited these weapons. Further, the bill allows for these weapons to be transferred to museums and other collections in order to preserve America’s military history.