Congresswoman Clark Demands Vote To Close Terrorist Gun Loophole

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Katherine Clark, a Democrat who represents Framingham, signed a discharge petition to a force a vote on the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, common sense legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows suspected terrorists on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist to legally buy guns.

After House Republicans repeatedly blocked debate on the critical legislation, Clark and other Democrats signed a discharge petition that would force Speaker Ryan to bring the bill up for a vote immediately.

“I won’t stand by while Congress abdicates its duty to children and families by refusing to advance common sense gun safety legislation,” said Clark, in a statement.

“At minimum, we should ensure that deadly weapons are not sold to suspected terrorists. With a mass shooting every week, it is unconscionable that Congress would stand by and do nothing. I would hope that at least some of my Republican colleagues would summon the courage to stand up for the security of American families and force a vote to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists,” said Clark on Tuesday.

According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, since 2004, more than 2,000 suspects on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist have successfully purchased weapons in the United States.

More than 90 percent of all suspected terrorists who attempted to purchase guns in the last eleven years walked away with the weapon they wanted.

Photo courtesy of Petroni Media Company