Mike Levin: “our Nation's gun safety laws do not go far enough to protect our families and communities and may leave us vulnerable to…”

“our Nation's gun safety laws do not go far enough to protect our families and communities and may leave us vulnerable to an attack by terrorists using military style firearms legally purchased within our own borders. Current law not only allows a known or suspected terrorist to buy firearms in the U.S., it also requires that records pertaining to the sale be destroyed within a day of the purchase. Congress should take proactive steps to address these shortfalls in our gun safety laws. Federal law requires that anyone seeking to purchase or obtain a permit to possess, acquire, or carry firearms undergo a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. This process requires the applicant to provide a variety of personal information including name, date of birth, current residence, and country of citizenship which is then compared with data in the NICS system to determine whether or not the person is prohibited by law from receiving or possessing firearms. Disqualifying criteria includes such things as felony convictions and fugitive or illegal alien status. As part of the background check, applicants are also checked against known terrorist watch lists. However, under current law, membership in a known terrorist organization does not automatically disqualify an applicant from receiving or possessing a firearm. In cases where a positive match is made, federal authorities search for other disqualifying information.…”