McGovern Forces Vote on Legislation to Keep Guns From Terrorists

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Congressman Jim McGovern has taken action to force a vote on legislation to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists.

“It is simply stunning that House Republicans refuse to close the loophole that lets suspected terrorists legally buy guns. As Members of Congress, our first responsibility is to protect and defend the American people – and that is why we must take urgent action to keep deadly firearms out of the hands of terrorists," said Jim McGovern.

Last week, House Republicans voted three times to block the House from debating Congressman Peter King's Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.

McGovern has now signed a discharge petition that would bring this legislation up for a vote immediately. The bill would close a dangerous loophole that allows suspected terrorists on the FBI's Terrorist Watchlist to legally buy weapons.

Since 2004, over 2,000 suspects on the FBI's Terrorist Watchlist have successfully purchased weapons in the United States. Over 90 percent of all suspected terrorists who have attempted to purchase tunes in the last 11 years walked away with the weapon they wanted. Just 190 were rejected. This all comes according to the Government Accountability Office.

McGovern added, “Americans are looking to Congress for real leadership and this is a clear opportunity for us to do something that will help to make our country safer. We must close the exceedingly dangerous terrorist gun loophole, and ensure that no suspected terrorist can walk into a gun store and legally purchase a deadly weapon.”