Fiorina Would Allow Gun Sales to Terrorists

Sep 28, 2010

Washington, D.C. - Carly Fiorina, the Republican candidate for the United States Senate from California, opposes pending Federal legislation to give law enforcement the authority to prevent terror suspects from buying guns, including AK-47s, Uzis and other military-style assault weapons.  Ms. Fiorina publicly stated her opposition to this common-sense “terror gap” legislation at the May 6 debate for Republican gubernatorial candidates.

“Is Carly Fiorina running for the U.S. Senate from California, or from some state like Alaska that seems to worship guns?” asked Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  “On the gun violence prevention issue, she is completely out of touch with the vast majority of Californians and California law enforcement.”

Because of weak gun laws in this country, evidence shows that terrorists have armed themselves with guns purchased in the U.S.  A recent report from the Government Accountability Office reveals that individuals on terrorist watch lists were able to purchase guns and explosives over 1,100 times in the last six years.

“If Carly Fiorina believes the words on her own website about protecting citizens and defending our nation from terrorists, she should support closing the terror gap,” added Helmke.  “Instead, she is pandering to the extremist gun lobby in California, the same lobby that has come up empty in statewide elections in California for the last 16 years.”

“Ms. Fiorina’s opposition to closing the terror gap is very surprising in a state with the strongest gun laws in the nation, and where Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed sensible legislation to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people,” added Helmke.  “Californians and California law enforcement support sensible gun laws.”

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The Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. The Brady Campaign works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies to create an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is a national non-profit organization working to reduce the tragic toll of gun violence through education, research, and legal advocacy.

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