WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Known or suspected terrorists on the US terrorism watch list are currently able to purchase weapons and explosives. But US Senator Charles Schumer believes they should legally be prevented from making such purchases.
The bill, backed by several Democrats in both houses of the Congress, would allow the US Attorney General to deny the purchase or transfer of weapons to known or suspected terrorists.
No Republican lawmakers supported the initiative yet.
“The fact that a person on terror watch list can saunter up to a sporting goods counter and purchase a cache of weapons capable of causing immense death and destruction just boggles the mind. Slamming shut this appalling loophole ought to be a no-brainer,” Schumer said in the statement.
“While the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database currently aims to prevent certain at-risk individuals from purchasing guns, like criminals and the mentally ill, it is shocking that known or suspected terrorists are not included,” he added.
Between 2004 and 2014, 91 percent of individuals on the terrorism watch list passed a background check when trying to purchase a weapon, according the US Government Accountability Office. However, they were not prevented from purchase.
“As the risk of domestic and international terrorism attacks rise, we must empower the Department of Justice to prevent anyone on a terrorist watch list from being able to purchase guns and explosives that can be used to harm Americans and our allies,” Schumer concluded.
More than one million Americans are under suspicion of being terrorists, according the American Civil Liberties Union.
US citizens’ right to keep and bear arms is protected by the second amendment of the United States constitution.
