Frank Lautenberg: “this amendment would override what I see as a misguided Department of Justice policy that adds to the threats to our…”

“this amendment would override what I see as a misguided Department of Justice policy that adds to the threats to our homeland security and leaves our country more vulnerable to terrorist attacks. This amendment is identical to bipartisan legislation I previously introduced. It was called the Terrorist Apprehension Act, and it was cosponsored by Senator DeWine with me. This amendment will direct the administration to do all it can to apprehend potential terrorists within our borders. We found out if someone on the terrorist watch list, someone who is a potential threat to communities across the country, purchases a weapon, and that information is logged into the gun background check system, the Department of Justice has an order that prevents that background check information not to be put on an alert. They do not even share the critical information with law enforcement concerning the whereabouts of the terrorists. It sounds kind of backwards to me. I find it very disturbing that we could have a nationwide lookout for known terrorists within our borders, and if he obtained a weapon the Justice Department's policy is to conceal that information from the FBI or other interested law enforcement personnel.”