[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TERRORISTS AND GUNS

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, earlier this month, the Senate Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on the 
threat posed by the ability of terrorists to purchase firearms in 
America and legislative proposals to address that threat. Before 
purchasing a firearm, an individual currently must undergo a background 
check to search for disqualifying characteristics such as a felony 
conviction or a history of domestic violence. However, if the 
background check reveals that the prospective buyer is on the terrorist 
watch list, law enforcement legally cannot block the sale unless the 
individual falls into another disqualifying category. In other words, 
being on a terrorist watch list does not prevent someone from buying a 
gun.
  To close this dangerous loophole, I support S. 1317, the Denying 
Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, which was 
introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg. I am a cosponsor of this 
legislation because it would authorize the Attorney General to deny the 
transfer of a firearm when an FBI background check reveals that the 
prospective purchaser is a known or suspected terrorist and the 
Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the purchaser may use the 
firearm in connection with terrorism.
  Law enforcement should have the authority to block the purchase of a 
firearm by a known or suspected terrorist. Giving them that authority 
is simply common sense and has support across the political spectrum. 
At the May 5 hearing, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed 
his support, and that of the other 500 American mayors who are members 
of the bipartisan coalition Mayors Against Illegal Guns, for passing S. 
1317. Mayor Bloomberg focused on data recently released by the U.S. 
Government Accountability Office showing that between 2004 and 2010, 
individuals on the terrorist watch list were able to purchase firearms 
and explosives from licensed dealers 1,119 times. I agree with Mayor 
Bloomberg's testimony that this data represents a serious threat to our 
national security and that Congress needs to act to address it.
  Representative Peter King, ranking member of the House Homeland 
Security Committee, also appeared at the hearing and spoke about 
legislation similar to S. 1317 that he introduced in the House. 
Congressman King mentioned that his bill has Republican and Democratic 
cosponsors and would have a positive impact on law enforcement agencies 
across the country, highlighting the support of the International 
Associations of Chiefs of Police.
  Closing the ``terror gap'' also is supported by an overwhelming 
majority of American gun owners. In December 2009, pollster Frank Luntz 
conducted a poll showing that 82 percent of NRA members and 86 percent 
of non-NRA gun owners favored a proposal to prevent individuals listed 
on a terrorist watch list from purchasing firearms.
  Closing the loophole in Federal law that prevents law enforcement 
from blocking the sale of firearms to terrorists is not a controversial 
proposal. To the contrary, legislative efforts to close the ``terror 
gap'' enjoy widespread, bipartisan support. In order to keep Americans 
safe, it is essential that law enforcement is provided with every legal 
tool to keep guns out of the hands of known or suspected terrorists. I 
urge my colleagues to take up and pass S. 1317, the Denying Firearms 
and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.

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