Lawmaker Wants FBI Alerted if Terrorism Suspect Buys Guns

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in American history -- and the worst terror attack on U.S. soil since 9/11 -- U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) announced today that he is taking steps to give the Federal Bureau of Investigation at least one additional tool to help them detect and prevent such attacks before they happen.

Nelson, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former member of the Intelligence Committee, filed legislation today to ensure that any individual who is, or has been, investigated for possible ties to terrorism is entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, which gun shop owners use to run background checks on prospective gun buyers. And, if a background check is conducted for a prospective gun buyer who is, or has been, investigated for potential ties to terrorism, Nelson's bill would require that the NICS system automatically notify the appropriate division of the FBI.

The move comes after reports that agents at the FBI interviewed the gunman responsible for Sunday's massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida at least three times prior to the shooting. Despite past concerns about the shooter's possible ties to terrorism, he was able to walk into a gun store in Port St. Lucie, Florida and legally purchase two firearms -- including an AR-15-style assault rifle -- which he then used in the attack.

According to the FBI, the Orlando gunman was placed on a terrorism watch list from 2013 until 2014. But, as FBI Director James Comey told reporters Monday, "once an investigation is closed there is then no notification of any sort that is triggered by that person then attempting to purchase a firearm when the cases were closed as inconclusive."

Nelson says that that lack of notification has to change.

"We're not saying: don't sell guns to someone just because they were investigated," Nelson said. "But having a system in place that alerts the FBI if someone they once investigated is suddenly trying to purchase multiple assault weapons is just common sense."

The FBI conducts a background check for every gun purchase made through a federally-licensed dealer using NICS. The purpose of these checks is to screen potential buyers for felony convictions, mental illness, and a history of domestic violence or drug abuse.

Nelson's bill would not automatically bar someone previously investigated for possible ties to terrorism from purchasing a firearm. It would, however, require that such individuals be entered into the NICS system and that the FBI be notified if any of those individuals attempt to purchase a firearm.

In addition to the legislation filed today, which will now head to the Senate's Judiciary Committee for consideration, Nelson cosponsored a broader measure that would, among other things, prohibit known or suspected terrorists on government watch lists, such as the No-Fly list, from purchasing a firearm.

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