Posted on 06/21/2009 9:02:28 AM PDT by FromLori
People on the government’s terrorist watch list tried to buy guns nearly 1,000 times in the last five years, and federal authorities cleared the purchases 9 times out of 10 because they had no legal way to stop them, according to a new government report.
In one case, a person on the list was able to buy more than 50 pounds of explosives.
The new statistics, compiled in a report from the Government Accountability Office that is scheduled for public release next week, draw attention to an odd divergence in federal law: people placed on the government’s terrorist watch list can be stopped from getting on a plane or getting a visa, but they cannot be stopped from buying a gun.
Gun purchases must be approved unless federal officials can find some other disqualification of the would-be buyer, like being a felon, an illegal immigrant or a drug addict.
“This is a glaring omission, and it’s a security issue,” Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, the New Jersey Democrat who requested the study, said in an interview.
Mr. Lautenberg plans to introduce legislation on Monday that would give the attorney general the discretion to block gun sales to people on terror watch lists.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Lautenberg concerned about our security!
I believe there is another motive ... that we just don’t see due to his sleight-of-hand and the smoke and mirrors.
Guess we’ll see it when it’s too late.
Heck, we’re all already labeled right-wing extremists... Next step - we’ll be on the watch list and prohibited from buying firearms.
Pretty soon, “due process” will become a forgotten concept.
That’s so when the BOLO is issued for the suspect de jour, they can be listed as Armed and Dangerous.
Gun purchases must be approved unless federal officials can find some other disqualification of the would-be buyer
According to recent DHS reports, not supporting abortion or gay marriage makes you a terrorist threat and hate group.
No guns for you!!!!
This is the same "terrorist watch list" that wouldn't allow a sitting U.S. Senator to board his flight because the name T. Kennedy was flagged as a terrorist. So does this mean Tom or Travis Kennedy can't buy a gun (let alone fly)?
Wonder how many names are on the Terrorist Watch List, and if it is like most government databases as far as information quality.
Did you ever wonder "who's list" your name is on?
Lautenberg thought process:
The government doesn’t adequately enforce existing laws pertaining to terrorism, abuse of guns and criminal behavior.
Criminals and terrorists don’t obey the laws we already have pertaining to use and abuse of guns (that’s why they are called criminals and terrorists).
Law abiding citizens observe the law and rarely use guns in illegal ways.
Many judges show more empathy for convicted criminals than their victims and they show low respect for the law in sentencing violent criminals.
The Obama adnministration is more concerned with labelling honest, law abiding, patriotic Americans as terrorists than it is with releasing releasing real terrorists from prison so they can try to kill more Americans.
Therefore - LETS PASS MORE GUN CONTROL LAWS.
Lautenberg is a senile old fart who has no business being in the U.S. Senate. He’s a pathetic joke.
As soon as law abiding conservatives are labeled "right wing extremist terrorists", me thinks that will be resolved by the authorities.
He knew it when he retired however since his seat was being lost to a Republican, the old "party before country" kicked in and he came out of retirement to save the party.
True, those from New Jersey?
Agree 100%, but that also describes about 87.5% of the Senate and House, demo and repub. (would Boxer, Feinstein, Waters, et al, be “fartresses”?)
Madam Boxer would be something all on her own...
CW-II ping list material? It seems a step in that direction.
You named it. Not even a conviction necessary, no due process of law.
When they came for those on the terrorist watch listAmerica -- a great idea, didn't last.
I did nothing, because I was not on the terrorist watch list...
From the Dept of Pre-Crime.
Where the heck can you purchase explosives?
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