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With House Republicans continuing to protect suspected terrorists’ ability to buy lethal firearms, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) took action yesterday to force a vote on commonsense, life-saving legislation to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists. 

After House Republicans voted three times last week to block the House from debating H.R. 1076, Republican Congressman Peter King’s Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, Congressman McGovern signed a discharge petition that would bring this critical legislation immediately up for a vote. The bill would close the dangerous loophole that allows suspected terrorists on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist to legally buy deadly weapons.

“It is simply stunning that House Republicans refuse to close the loophole that lets suspected terrorists legally buy guns,” McGovern said. “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.”

According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, since 2004, more than 2,000 suspects on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist have successfully purchased weapons in the United States. More than 90 percent of all suspected terrorists who attempted to purchase guns in the last 11 years walked away with the weapon they wanted, with just 190 rejected despite their ominous histories. 

“In the aftermath of the tragic attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, we must continue to strengthen our efforts to protect the American people,” 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.”  

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