FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2017
Contact: Tim Murtaugh
Office: (202) 225-6511
Cell: (202) 641-5099
Email: Tim.Murtaugh@mail.house.gov

Barletta Votes to Stop Obama Gun Grab for Certain Social Security Recipients
Last Minute Rule Strips 2nd Amendment Rights of People Who Need Help Managing Finances

WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) today voted to overturn a new rule from the
Social Security Administration (SSA) that would have the effect of stripping the 2nd Amendment rights
of citizens simply because they need help in managing their finances. The rule, issued in the waning
days of the Obama Administration, affects people who receive Disability Insurance or Supplemental
Social Security benefits under certain mental health conditions, and who also are deemed to require
someone to help manage their benefits. The list of mental health conditions includes such afflictions as
bulimia, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. People covered by the rule would have their
names sent to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and be prohibited from
purchasing or possessing firearms.

It seems incredible that President Obama would use Social Security and a blanket policy as means to
limit the lawful ownership of firearms, but thats just what he did on his way out the door, Barletta said.
This rule, stated simply, says that if your grandmother has anxiety and needs help managing her
finances, she gets reported to NICS and is stripped of a Constitutional right. That cannot stand.

Barletta was an original cosponsor of the resolution of disapproval of the rule, H.J. Res. 40, which
passed the House by a vote of 235-to-180. It now heads to the Senate for its consideration. The
resolution was passed by the House pursuant to the provisions of the Congressional Review Act, which
allows Congress to overturn an agencys rule if a joint resolution of disapproval is passed by both
chambers and signed by the president.

The SSA rule also violates an individuals right to due process. Once a persons name is sent to NICS,
the individual may only seek relief through the agencys appeals process. This puts citizens in the
position of having to prove they are not threats to public safety after they already have been deprived of
their rights. Although the rule took effect on January 18, 2017, the SSA will not begin submitting
names to the NICS under the new criteria until December 19, 2017.
Its a pretty rare issue that brings together the National Rifle Association and a whole list of groups that
advocate for seniors and the disabled, but thats what this rule has done, Barletta said. Just because
you need a little help in managing your finances doesnt mean you forfeit your Constitutional rights.

The following is a list of organizations which support the overturning of the SSA rule:

ADAPT
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Association of Mature American Citizens
Autism Self Advocacy Network
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Rights Task Force
Disability Rights Law Center (DRLC) Alaska
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy
National Association for Rural Mental Health
National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
National Council on Disability
National Council on Independent Living
National Disability Leadership Alliance
National Disability Rights Network
National Rifle Association (NRA)
New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
Safari Club International
The Arc of the United States

-30-