WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced an amendment to the Patriot Act that would close the Terror Gap, a loophole in law enforcement that allows suspected terrorists to pass background checks and purchase firearms.

“Inexplicably, the FBI currently has no authority to block firearm sales to terror suspects.  We’re here today to try to resolve the question of how best to strike the proper balance between ensuring our national security and protecting our civil liberties,” said Quigley.  “Surely, we cannot look our constituents in the eye and tell them in good faith that we have decided to enact public policy that restrains some of their civil liberties for the greater good but that we refused to ask the same of suspected terrorists.  I know we are smarter than that.”

Quigley introduced his amendment during a Judiciary Committee  mark-up of the Patriot Act. Quigley’s amendment would grant the Attorney General the authority to deny the transfer of a firearm if use of the Patriot Act provisions considered today led the AG to believe that a prospective transferee of a firearm has engaged in, or is suspected of engaging in, terrorism. 

The amendment was voted down.  Earlier today, two suspected terrorists were arrested in a sting operation in New York City for plotting to plant explosives in a Manhattan synagogue.  The suspects purchased a hand grenade and three pistols prior to their arrest.   

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