[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ANOTHER REASON TO CLOSE THE GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to enter into the Record some 
important information about guns and terrorists. Currently, shoppers at 
gun shows may choose to buy firearms from federally licensed firearms 
dealers--or from unlicensed dealers. Since unlicensed sellers are not 
required to run Brady background checks, which involves an instant 
background check for among other things, criminal history, outstanding 
warrants and illegal immigration status, gun shows are an important 
source of guns for criminals and terrorists who would not be able to 
buy weapons in a store. In fact, several cases have linked the purchase 
of guns at gun shows to terrorists. For example, in Florida, a man 
accused of having ties to the Irish Republican Army testified that he 
purchased thousands of dollars worth of machine guns, rifles, and high-
powered ammunition at gun shows and proceeded to smuggle them to 
Ireland. Now more than ever, we must close the gun show loophole. I 
urge my fellow Senators to support bringing to the floor legislation 
that will close the gun show loophole.

                          ____________________