[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12916-12917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TERROR ATTACKS IN NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, AND MINNESOTA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, many Americans are taking the news about 
this weekend's terror attacks in New Jersey, New York, and even 
Minnesota very seriously. As a country, we are always stunned when 
these violent acts occur, and we are absolutely sickened by the acts of 
violence of this terrorist activity. We grieve with the victims, their 
families, and their loved ones.
  I had a long, thorough briefing today by the FBI. I appreciate their 
good work always. They have a difficult job doing everything they can 
to make sure we are safe.
  I am aware of the many people injured in these cowardly attacks, 
including police officers. I wish them all a full and complete 
recovery. Despite the many injured, we are very grateful that no one 
was killed in these attacks. It is a credit to both law enforcement and 
America's terrific, good, brave first responders.
  Earlier today, the suspect wanted in connection with these cowardly 
attacks was shot and apprehended by police officers, but, of course, 
not before he wounded two of these police officers. These officers' 
quick response most likely kept Americans safe.
  These events remind us of these brave men and women who risk their 
lives every day to protect the American people. First responders in New 
York, New Jersey, and Minnesota rushed into danger this weekend to 
protect innocent people. They certainly saved lives. Now we must do 
everything we can to ensure justice is served and law enforcement gets 
the support needed to conduct their investigation.
  It is not enough to simply offer help after these heinous attacks 
take place. Congress must do more to prevent these acts of terrorism 
altogether. There are things we can do, and some of them are really 
easy. Right now, as we speak, there is a loophole in our law that 
allows potential FBI terror suspects to legally purchase guns and 
explosives. Stop and think about that for just a moment. A person with 
suspected ties to terrorism can walk into a store now and buy all of 
the explosives, all the guns, and all the ammunition they want.
  In Nevada, a man who has been so charitable has set up a camp for 
children every summer. It costs him lots of money. It is in a beautiful 
part of the mountain area right outside of Las Vegas. We have, within 
10 minutes of Las Vegas, a 12,000-foot mountain. At the foot of those 
mountains, he has a beautiful camp.
  Here is what they are doing now. You can go to a gun store in Las 
Vegas, and you can buy explosives. They put them up in the trees. We 
don't have that many trees in Nevada. They will put explosives up in a 
tree, and they shoot at it, and it blows up. It blows up the tree and 
anything around it. That is for sport.
  Anyone can walk into a gun store and buy explosives. It doesn't 
matter

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who it is. You can also be a terrorist and do the same thing. Again, I 
ask everyone to think about that. A person with suspected ties to 
terrorism can walk into a store now and buy all of the explosives they 
want. They can buy all the guns they want.
  The so-called terror gap is outrageous and terribly reckless. How can 
something like this go unaddressed in modern-day America?
  Democrats have tried repeatedly for the past year to close that 
loophole, but we have been prevented from doing that by the 
Republicans. We can argue from now on about whether this bill could 
have prevented this weekend's attacks, but one thing is for sure: It 
could prevent the next attack.
  But we know this loophole shouldn't exist. We know terror suspects 
shouldn't be given a free pass to buy all the guns and all the 
explosives they want, and we know the American people want this 
loophole closed. Eighty-five percent of the people in Indiana, in 
Nevada, in Kentucky--85 percent of the people in America--support 
legislation keeping explosives and guns out of the hands of suspected 
terrorists. If you can't fly, why should you be able to buy a gun? If 
you can't fly, why should you be able to buy explosives? The only 
reason the FBI terror suspects are allowed to buy guns and explosives 
is simply because of Republican opposition. That is the reason.
  This state of affairs defies belief. It is hard to believe that in 
America today an FBI terror suspect who cannot fly on an airplane can 
walk into a gun store in Las Vegas, New York City, or anyplace and 
legally purchase explosives and assault weapons. But it is true because 
Republicans refuse to close the terror gap loophole.
  In the aftermath of these attacks, our constituents are looking for 
us to help. They want to feel safe. They want to be safe. We can help 
provide that safety by closing the terror loophole, but Democrats can't 
do it alone. We need help from the Republicans.
  Mr. President, I see no one seeking recognition, so I ask the Chair 
to announce the business of the day.

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