WASHINGTON –(ENEWSPF)–June 16, 2016. In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in American history, Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced legislation to give the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a new tool to detect and prevent such attacks before they happen.
“Terrorists should not be able to buy weapons. And the FBI should be notified if a suspected terrorist buys a weapon.” said Senator Kirk. “This commonsense legislation equips the FBI with a new tool to stop threats on American lives.”
The Kirk-Nelson legislation ensures that any individual who is, or has been, investigated for possible ties to terrorism is entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). If and when a background check is conducted for a prospective gun buyer who is, or has been, investigated for potential ties to terrorism, the Kirk-Nelson bill would require that the NICS system automatically notify the appropriate division of the FBI.
The FBI conducts a background check for every gun purchase made through a federally-licensed dealer using NICS. The purpose of these checks is to screen potential buyers for felony convictions, mental illness, and a history of domestic violence or drug abuse.
The Kirk-Nelson bill would not automatically bar someone previously investigated for possible ties to terrorism from purchasing a firearm. It would, however, require that such individuals be entered into the NICS system and that the FBI be notified if any of those individuals attempt to purchase a firearm.
In addition to this legislation, Senator Kirk has expressed continued support for No Fly-No Buy measures that would prohibit known or suspected terrorists on government watch lists from purchasing firearms and explosives.
Text of the Kirk-Nelson Bill is available here.
Source: http://www.kirk.senate.gov
