VA offers free gun locks in exchange for firearm information, raising concerns about potential gun registry

Turns out there's no such thing as a free gun lock.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free gun locks to veterans because they "have been shown to greatly reduce death and injury caused by firearms in the home." But there's a catch: Vets must first provide the VA with their name, address, and the number of guns in their home.

According to the Washington Times, the offer is "raising concerns about a government-run gun registry." One veteran who spoke to the paper anonymously said he thinks such a system will make young soldiers even more reluctant to seek help for PTSD and other battle-related disorders if they think the government is going to take their guns away.

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The Times reports that the VA is sending out form letters offering free gun locks, and that the agency hopes "to reach all out veterans with this offer."