Title: Update on Firearm and Explosives Background Checks Involving Terrorist Watch List Records

Publication Date: April 2011

What does it say?

From February 2004 through December 2010, there were over 1,300 attempts to purchase a gun by someone on the terrorist watch list that were allowed to proceed because the purchaser was not disqualified by state or federal law.

An earlier report indicated that some terrorist watch listees appear to be making multiple attempts to purchase a gun.  The 1,228 purchase attempts through February 2010 were by 650 individuals.  Almost 70 percent of the individuals (450/650) were involved in multiple transactions and 6 were involved in 10 or more transactions.

How can I use it?

Use the data in this study to advocate closing the "terror gap," by giving the Attorney General (AG) 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.

Citation

Larence, Eileen, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Letter to Senator Frank Lautenberg, April 27, 2011

[1784]