Washington, D.C. >> On Friday, a bipartisan group of members in the House, representing vastly different regions of our country, came together to introduce legislation that will deny the sale of firearms to those on “No-Fly” lists.
H.R. 5576, the House-companion to the bipartisan Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act led by Sen. Collins (R-ME), was introduced by Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Peter King (R-NY), Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), Bob Dold (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Scott Rigell (R-VA), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), and John Carney (D-DE).
Specifically, this bipartisan legislation would:
• Prevent individuals on the “No-Fly” and selectee lists from legally purchasing firearms and explosives.
• Create a process for Americans and legal 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 when a denial would impede an ongoing investigation.
• 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.
Thompson offered the following statement: “An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that if you’re too dangerous to fly, you’re too dangerous to buy a gun. 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.”
