Dold, Kelly, Bipartisan Coalition Introduce Compromise Bill to Reduce Gun Violence

Press Release

Today a bipartisan group of Members in the U.S. House of Representatives - led by Reps. Robert Dold (R-IL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Scott Rigell (R-VA) - came together to introduce legislation that will deny the sale of firearms to known or suspected terrorists.

"Stopping gun violence requires more than moments of silence -- we need action. I've been working to keep guns out of the hands of known or suspected terrorists since my first term in Congress," Rep. Dold said. "The only way we're going to actually make progress to keep families safe is through bipartisan action. This bipartisan, bicameral proposal to keep dangerous weapons away from those who wish to do our country harm, while protecting due process, is an important step forward and a bipartisan solution we should all be able to get behind."

Earlier in the week, Congressman Dold broke from his party and opposed adjournment of the House (Roll Call Vote 340 on the Motion to Adjourn) until his colleagues on both sides of the aisle find common ground on legislation to reduce gun violence. Congressman Dold led conversations throughout the week to bring together Republicans and Democrats around a bipartisan solution. He's made clear to House leadership that his goal is to reach a bipartisan compromise and actually pass legislation that will keep families safe from gun violence.

The bill is the House companion to the bipartisan agreement authored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The other original co-sponsors of the bill are Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), John Carney (D-DE) and Peter King (R-NY).

"Common sense gun violence prevention has been my top priority since being elected to Congress. I am pleased that a handful of brave and honorable Republican colleagues have taken a stand and reached out to work with Democrats on the simplest of measures: keeping guns away from terrorists," Rep. Kelly said. "The last two days have been a watershed moment. I truly hope that the leadership of Senator Collins is the beginning of bipartisanship in addressing our nation's gun violence epidemic. This is a problem we can only solve by working together."

Specifically, this legislation would give the United States Attorney General the ability to:

Deny the sale of firearms to individuals who appear on the no-fly and selectee lists with the opportunity to challenge the denial. This appeals process will give American citizens and lawful permanent residents the chance for judicial review of the Attorney General's decision in a U.S. District court.
Allow gun sales to go forward to individuals who are covered by this Act to protect counter terrorism investigations.
Report to the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate the number of persons who were denied a firearm, the number of petitions filed, and the number of instances in which the district court rejected the Attorney General's decision.

This bill would also require that the U.S. Attorney General, as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement be notified of any request to transfer a firearm or explosive to a person who is or has been identified in the Terrorist Screening Database within the last five years.

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