Americans for Responsible Solutions Launches New National Campaign Urging Congress to Close the “Terror Gap”
April 7, 2016 – Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) Co-Founder Captain Mark Kelly announced the launch of ARS’s new national campaign, “A Growing Threat: Closing the Terror Gap,” to pressure Members of Congress and other elected officials to pass legislation that would close the current loophole in federal law that allows known or suspected terrorists to legally purchase guns.
The effort will raise awareness about the growing threat of active shooter terrorism and hold candidates and elected officials accountable on the issue. Further information on the campaign can be found at ClosingTheTerrorGap.org.
In announcing the new campaign, ARS also announced the findings of recent national research showing that 82 percent of Americans nationwide support closing the “terror gap” by prohibiting terrorists from buying firearms. This is consistent with various other recent public polls showing up to 83 percent of those polled favor closing the loophole, including 77 percent of Republicans and 85 percent of Independents. [1] Further details on polling can be found here.
Capt. Kelly was joined on the call with national media by U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar, Anna Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, and Karen Greenberg from Fordham University’s Center on National Security.
Both the Bush and Obama Administrations support closing the terror gap, and among our current presidential candidates, Sec. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Gov. John Kasich, and Donald Trump all support closing the loophole, among many other local and state elected officials across the country.
“Active shooter terrorism is a growing threat to our country,” said Captain Mark Kelly, a Navy combat veteran, retired NASA astronaut, and co-founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions. “Allowing terrorists to easily and legally access guns makes no sense – and it makes us less safe. Just as known and suspected terrorists aren’t allowed to fly, we believe they shouldn’t be allowed to access guns that make it extremely easy to harm our communities. We can and we must close the terror gap by prohibiting terrorists from obtaining firearms.”
Since the deadly attack on September 11, 2001, nearly every terror attack in the United States has involved firearms. From 2004 to 2014, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists attempted to legally buy guns in the U.S., and 91 percent were successful, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“We have witnessed far too frequently the horrific damage gun violence wreaks on our families and communities across the country,” said U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar, whose district includes San Bernardino. “We have the power to curb this violence by preventing terrorists from purchasing guns, and we should be acting immediately to close this major threat.”
BACKGROUND ON THE TERROR GAP
Loopholes in Federal Law Enables Individuals on the FBI’s Terror Watch List to Legally Buy Guns. Current federal law prohibits the purchase and possession of firearms by people who fall within nine categories, including felons, domestic abusers, and individuals who have been adjudicated mentally ill. But federal law does not currently prohibit individuals on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s terror watch list from passing a background check and legally buying guns. Between February 2004 and December 2014, individuals on the terror watch list were able to buy firearms 2,043 times. [Government Accountability Office]
Gun Owners and NRA Members Support Closing the Terror Gap. According to research conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine, 82 percent of gun owners and 75 percent of NRA members support closing the terror gap. [New England Journal of Medicine]
Support for Closing the Terror Gap Extends Across Party Lines – Includes Former President George W. Bush. Those who have supported closing this loophole include: President George W. Bush, Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean, Former New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and the International Association of Police Chiefs.
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Founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) is committed to advancing commonsense change that makes communities safer from gun violence and encouraging elected officials to advance responsible firearms policies. Learn more at responsiblesolutions.org and at @Resp_Solutions.