[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H9036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TERRORIST WATCH LIST AND GUN PURCHASES

  (Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, the horrific attack in San 
Bernardino shows us just how much damage can be done when terrorists 
have access to firearms; and while we discuss sensible policies that 
may have prevented this tragedy, I hope we can all agree--certainly, at 
the very least--that people our government suspects of having terrorist 
ties should not be allowed to walk into a store, pass a background 
check, and walk out with a gun.
  So many Americans have been understandably amazed to hear that people 
on the FBI's terrorist watch list can legally purchase firearms and 
that it has happened over 2,000 times in the last 10 years.
  I know that some have concerns about the accuracy of the watch list 
or worry that this bill may somehow prevent some law enforcement 
officers from obtaining guns. We should ensure that the watch list is 
as accurate as possible, and we can even start that today. But if we 
are concerned for our law enforcement officers, the least we can do is 
protect them from the threat of terrorists who are armed with guns.
  Fixing this loophole is immediate. It is a step we can take to make 
our country safer. It is a commonsense reform that deserves a vote.

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