U.S. Congressman Scott Rigell | For Immediate Release
From the Desk of

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
SCOTT RIGELL
2nd District
of Virginia



418 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
T: (202) 225-4215
F: (202) 225-4218


36312 Lankford Hwy., Ste 5
Belle Haven, VA 23306
T: (757) 442-4790
F: (757) 422-4793 


4772 Euclid Road, Suite E
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
T: (757) 687-8290
F: (757) 687-8298


1100 Exploration Way, Suite 302 R
Hampton, VA 23666
T: (757) 687-8290
F: (757) 687-8298


Contact: Kaylin Minton
202-225-4215
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Rigell, Bipartisan House Members
Introduce Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act


Bill would prohibit an individual on the ‘No-Fly’ or Selectee lists from purchasing a firearm, while also ensuring there's a sufficient legal mechanism in place that will guarantee due process


Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) joined Reps. Curbelo (R-FL), Moulton (D-MA), and Dold (R-IL) in introducing the Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act, the bipartisan House-companion to the legislation led by Sen. Collins (R-ME). This bill, which would impact less than 3,000 or 0.00001% of all Americans, would prohibit an individual on the ‘No-Fly’ or Selectee lists from purchasing a firearm, while also ensuring there's a sufficient legal mechanism in place that will guarantee due process.

“A terrorist should not be able to fly on a plane or buy a gun. Though that statement reflects common-sense and common ground, legislation that would make it a reality is the subject of divisive debate in Washington,” said Rep. Rigell. “There has always been tension between our liberty and our safety, but advancing both can be done. If a person is deemed too dangerous to board a plane, they’re too dangerous to purchase a firearm. Our legislation affects the approximately 3,000 Americans (or 0.00001% of the population) who our intelligence agencies have determined pose a significant threat to our national security. This legislation is common-sense, bipartisan, and bicameral. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in introducing this needed legislation today.”

Specifically, this legislation would give the United States Attorney General the ability to:
• Deny the sale of firearms to individuals who appear on the ‘No-Fly’ and Selectee lists with the opportunity to challenge the denial. This process will give American citizens and lawful permanent residents the chance for judicial review of the Attorney General’s decision in a U.S. district court.

• Allow gun sales to go forward for individuals who are covered by this Act to protect counterterrorism investigations.

• Report to the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate the number of persons who were denied a firearm, the number of petitions filed, and the number of instances in which the district court rejected the Attorney General’s decision.

This bill would also require that the U.S. Attorney General, as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement, be notified of any request to transfer a firearm or explosive to a person who is or has been identified in the Terrorist Screening Database within the last five years.

Rep. Curbelo said: “We must protect Americans from the ever increasing threat of terrorism and violent acts of hatred here at home while we fight radical jihadists overseas. After the horrific massacre in Orlando, and countless other mass shootings across the country, the American people want answers. Congress must act, at the very least, to ensure individuals on the ‘No-Fly’ and Selectee lists cannot purchase a firearm. This legislation does just that and ensures due process for law-abiding citizens. I commend Senator Collins and her bipartisan group of colleagues for their tireless work in building significant consensus on this issue. The bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass this legislation should be a top priority for Congress, and I will not rest until we keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous terrorists while protecting Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Americans who pose no threat to the homeland.”

Rep. Moulton said: “Our constituents didn't send us to Washington to stand in silence. They sent us to Washington to keep our communities safe. This bipartisan bill will help to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists and those who seek to do our country harm. It’s time to put party aside and come together to make progress for the American people. Today we’re doing that in Congress.”

“Stopping gun violence requires more than moments of silence – we need action. I’ve been working to keep guns out of the hands of known or suspected terrorists since my first term in Congress,” Rep. Dold said. “The only way we’re going to actually make progress to keep families safe is through bipartisan action. This bipartisan, bicameral proposal to keep dangerous weapons away from those who wish to do our country harm, while protecting due process, is an important step forward and a bipartisan solution we should all be able to get behind.”

Click here for information about the ‘No Fly’ and Selectee lists.
Click here for a one-page fact sheet on the bill.

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