Graham Co-Sponsors Nelson Legislation To Increase Information Sharing; Prevent Terrorist Attacks

Press Release

Today, Representative Gwen Graham joined Representative Mike Thompson (CA-5) as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 5504, the House version of Senator Nelson's bill to require that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) be notified when individuals who have been have investigated for terrorism attempt to purchase firearms or explosives.

"In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack against the LGBT community in Orlando, Floridians from across our state are demanding change. There is no one answer to solve the problem of gun violence in America -- but that doesn't mean Congress shouldn't try to make our streets safer, to save lives, to prevent another tragedy like the Pulse shooting." Rep. Graham said. "This is commonsense legislation that will help prevent suspected terrorists from attacking Americans, without infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens. I applaud Senator Nelson for his leadership on this issue, and I'm proud to join him in this effort."

Specifically, this legislation requires that any individual who is, or who has been, under a terrorism investigation be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). NICS is the national database used to determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to purchase a firearm. The bill would further require that the NICS system automatically notify the FBI should a background check be conducted for such an individual.

"We need to make sure that those responsible for our country's security have all the information they need to help keep Americans safe," Rep. Thompson said. "By alerting the FBI when individuals formerly under a terrorism investigation purchase guns or explosives, the FBI can determine if there is new cause for concern, and hopefully, intervene before tragedy strikes."

Currently, not only can individuals on the FBI's Terrorists Watchlist pass a background check and legally purchase guns, but the FBI is not notified when individuals formerly under investigation for ties to terrorism purchase firearms or explosives. Graham has also co-sponsored legislation to prohibit those on the FBI's Terrorists Watchlist from purchasing firearms and to close the "gun show loophole" which allows guns to be sold over the internet, in classified ads and at gunshows without a background check.

Omar Mateen, the gunman responsible for the mass shooting in Orlando, had been removed from the FBI's Terrorists Watchlist before he legally purchased the two firearms he used in the attack.

H.R. 5504 is the House companion to identical legislation introduced in the Senate by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). H.R. 5504 has 4 original cosponsors, including Reps. Gwen Graham (D-FL), Patrick Murphy, Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Alan Grayson (D-FL).