Title: Terrorist Watchlist Screening: FBI Has Enhanced Its Use of Information from Firearm and Explosives Background Checks to Support Counterterrorism Efforts

Publication Date: May 2010

What does it say?

Currently, people on the terrorist watchlist are not prohibited from purchasing guns. 

This is the third report in a series (see also 2009 and 2005) documenting how many people on the terrorist watchlist have been approved to buy guns and/or explosives.   

From February 2004 through February 2010, 1,225 firearm and 3 explosives background checks matched the terrorist watchlist.  Of these matches, 91 percent (1,119/1,228) were allowed to proceed because the checks revealed no prohibiting information (see Table 1, p. 5).

The 1,228 matches involved roughly 650 unique individuals.  Of the 650 people involved in the matches, 69 percent (450/650) were involved in multiple transactions and 6 were involved in 10 or more transactions. 

According to FBI officials, several of the background checks also matched to the Transportation Security Administration’s “No Fly” list (p. 4).

How can I use it?

Use the data in this study to advocate for the “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.” 

Based on a Bush Administration proposal, this legislation would:

• Provide the Attorney General (AG) with discretionary authority to deny the transfer of a firearm or an explosives license or permit when a background check reveals that the purchaser is a known or suspected terrorist and the AG reasonably believes that the person may use a firearm or explosives in connection with terrorism;
• Implement due process safeguards so an affected person would have an opportunity to challenge a denial by the AG; and
• Protect the sensitive information providing the basis for terrorist watch lists.

Citation

Government Accountability Office, Terrorist Watchlist Screening: FBI Has Enhanced Its Use of Information from Firearm and Explosives Background Checks to Support Counterterrorism Efforts, Testimony of Eileen R. Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, May 4, 2010, GAO-10-703T

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