Legislation Introduced to Prevent No-Fly List from Buying Firearms

Big Island Now stock photo. June 2016

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and a bipartisan group of Congress members introduced legislation on Friday, June 24, that will deny the sale of firearms to those on the No-Fly list.

HR 5576, the House-companion to the bipartisan Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), was introduced by Reps. Gabbard (HI-02), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)Seth Moulton (D-MA), Peter King (R-NY), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Dold (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Scott Rigell (R-VA) and Charles Carney (D-DE) to give the US attorney general the ability to:

• Prevent individuals on the “No-Fly” and selectee lists from legally purchasing firearms and explosives
• Create a process for American citizens and lawful permanent residents to appeal a denial in the federal court
• Protect ongoing counter-terrorism investigations by giving the attorney general the discretion to allow gun sales to go forward for individuals covered by this Act
• Implement a five-year “look-back” provision to immediately notify the attorney general and federal, state, and local law enforcement if anyone who is or was entered into the broader
• Terrorist Screening Database attempts to buy a gun from a licensed dealer

“We owe it to the American people to work together to try to get sensible gun control legislation actually passed—and in order to do that, it must be a bipartisan effort,” said Rep. Gabbard. Majorities in both parties agree with the vast majority of the American people—we need to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists. However, we must also ensure that any action we take does not compromise the rights to due process guaranteed to every citizen. There are valid constitutional concerns related to the lack of due process and transparency for those who have mistakenly been placed on the No Fly List and Terror Watch List. This legislation is a bipartisan compromise that will help to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, while protecting our constitutionally-guaranteed civil liberties.”

“We must protect Americans from the ever increasing threat of terrorism and violent acts of hatred here at home while we fight radical jihadists overseas,” Rep. Curbelo said. “After the horrific massacre in Orlando, and countless other mass shootings across the country, the American people want answers. Congress must act, at the very least, to ensure individuals on the No-Fly list and “selectee” list cannot purchase a firearm. This legislation does just that and ensures due process for law-abiding citizens. I commend Sen. Collins and her bipartisan group of colleagues for their tireless work in building significant consensus on this issue. The bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass this legislation should be a top priority for Congress, and I will not rest until we keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous terrorists while protecting Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Americans who pose no threat to the homeland.”

“An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that if you’re too dangerous to fly, you’re too dangerous to buy a gun,” Rep. Thompson said. “Congress has a responsibility to listen to the will of the people, put partisan politics aside and do what it takes to help keep Americans safe by making sure suspected terrorists don’t have easy access to guns. And that’s what this bipartisan, commonsense legislation is all about.”

“After Sept. 11th, common sense dictates that the federal government stop gun sales to suspects on the terrorist watch list,”Rep. King said. “Federal law already prohibits nine categories of dangerous persons from purchasing or possessing firearms, including the mentally ill and criminals. Yet, after almost 15 years, we still allow suspected terrorists the ability to purchase firearms . It’s time for common sense to prevail before it’s too late.”

“Common sense gun violence prevention has been my top priority since being elected to Congress,”Rep. Kelly said. “I am pleased that a handful of brave and honorable Republican colleagues have taken a stand and reached out to work with Democrats on the simplest of measures: keeping guns away from terrorists. The last two days have been a watershed moment. I truly hope that the leadership of Sen. Collins is the beginning of bipartisanship in addressing our nation’s gun violence epidemic. This is a problem we can only solve by working together.”