Political Quotes

“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.…”