Rep. Rangel
Last week, House Republicans voted three times to block the House from debating H.R. 1076, Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, introduced by Republican Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island, NY). In response, Rep. Charles Rangel
(D-Manhattan and Bronx, NY), signed a discharge petition that would bring this critical legislation immediately up for a vote.
“It is unpatriotic and indefensible for House Republicans to refuse vote to close the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to legally buy guns,” says Rangel. “There is no excuse for their inaction to keep firearms away from those who intend to do us harm. The American people want action on this issue.”
Polls show that 80 percent of Americans support legislation to close a loophole that would allow people on the terrorist watch list from buying a gun. H.R. 1076 would amend the federal criminal code to grant the Attorney General the authority to deny the transfer or issuance of firearm and explosives licenses to any individual whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities. The bill would also allow firearms and explosives licenses and permits to be revoked if the individual is found to be engaged in terrorism.
According to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), more than 2,000 suspects on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist have successfully purchased weapons in the United States since 2004. More than 90 percent of all suspected terrorists who attempted to purchase guns in the last 11 years walked away with a weapon, and only 190 were rejected.
“Given the recent escalation in the threat of terrorism, it is clear that we must double our efforts to keep the American people safe,” said Rep. Rangel. “I have always called for commonsense legislation to combat gun violence, and will keep fighting for measures to prevent another loss of life due to a shot.”
Rep. Rangel introduced H.R.2939, the Enforcing Existing Gun Laws Act, which would give the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) the resources and authority to effectively enforce America’s current gun laws by repealing significant limitations on the agency.
Rep. Rangel, together with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn and Queens, NY), also recently introduced H.Res.541, which would designate the month of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month to promote nationwide efforts that can help prevent shootings, especially during the summer months when crime spikes in most areas of the country.
