Terrorists And Guns

Floor Speech

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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