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Kaptur Calls on House Republican Leadership to Stop Blocking
Vote to Keep Guns Out of Hands of Terrorists
Special to The Truth
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) issued a stern statement
last week calling on House Republicans to allow Congress to
vote on
H.R.1076: Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous
Terrorists Act of 2015.
This bipartisan legislation would close a loophole
that currently allows suspects on the
FBI’s
Terrorist Watchlist
to purchase lethal firearms in the United States. Between
2004 and 2014,
2,043
terror suspects
were able to legally purchase guns in the United States, a
success rate of more than 91 percent.
“Our first duty as Members of Congress is to protect and
defend the American people,”
said Rep. Kaptur. “There is a reason why we keep
suspects with ties to terrorism from getting on an airplane
in this country. The same standard needs to be applied when
it comes to purchasing deadly firearms. House Republican
leadership failed three times this week to allow debate and
a vote on this urgent legislation. We cannot afford to let
another opportunity pass without taking this long-overdue
step to better secure our cities and communities.”
According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO)
report
on the subject, “Membership in a terrorist organization does
not prohibit a person from possessing firearms or explosives
under current federal law.” |
