Chairman Thompson Files Motion to Hold Vote on Bill Closing Terrorists Watchlist Gun Loophole

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, today filed a discharge petition to bring H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, to the floor for a vote. For a discharge petition to be successful, a majority of the House must sign it. If a majority signs the petition, then the House must hold an up-or-down vote to bring the bill to the floor for consideration. The legislation, authored by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), and co-authored by Thompson, would prohibit the sale of firearms to individuals on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Terrorists Watch List. This legislation was originally crafted in 2007 and endorsed by President Bush's Justice Department. It has bipartisan support in the House.

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"Mr. Speaker, terrorists shouldn't be able to legally buy guns.

"However, right now, someone on the FBI's Terrorists Watchlist can go into a gun store and buy a firearm of their choosing -- legally.

"Since 2004, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapons in the U.S.

"Last week, House Republicans voted three times to protect the ability of suspected terrorists to continue buying guns.

"This made our country less safe.

"That's why I just filed a discharge petition that would allow us to vote on a bipartisan bill to close the terror list loophole.

"The bill makes sure those on the FBI's Terrorists Watchlist can't walk into a gun store, pass a background check, and buy a gun.

"If House Republicans are concerned about the accuracy of the list, let's scrub the list.

"If you agree that terrorists shouldn't be able to have guns, then put your name down in writing and let's have a vote."

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