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I stand with more than 500 mayors who have called on Congress to close the Terror Gap and prevent individuals on the terrorist watch list from legally purchasing firearms and explosives.

The time has come for Congress to reform laws that deny law enforcement the evidence and information they need to investigate and prevent acts of terrorism.

We can't afford another tragic event that leads to the loss of American lives because of this flawed and dangerous policy.

Privacy Policy

What Is the Terror Gap?

Under current federal law, the FBI has no authority to block the sale of firearms or explosives to individuals on the terrorist watch list.

That means the federal government can't stop gun sales to the same people it thinks are too dangerous to get on an airplane.

In 2011, the Government Accountability Office released an report indicating that from February 2004 through December 2010, people on the terrorist watch list have passed background checks and purchased guns 1,321 times. And on multiple occasions, terror suspects have even passed background checks and managed to buy explosives. Download the GAO report.

In 2007, the Bush Administration asked Congress to give the FBI the power to block gun and explosives sales to terror suspects. And recently, Attorney General Eric Holder endorsed this legislation, H.R.2159/S.1317, on behalf of the Obama Administration. Download a fact sheet on the Terror Gap.

Terrorists Repeatedly Attacking Americans Here at Home

Failing to stop terrorists from getting guns has cost American lives. Terror suspects have already gunned down Americans in attacks within our own borders, and put U.S. troops in harm's way where they should be safest -- on their bases, near their homes and with their families.

FORT HOOD, November 5, 2009

Major Nidal Hasan allegedly shot 43 people at Fort Hood -- 13 were killed and 30 were wounded. Hasan was able to buy a handgun even though he was under investigation by the FBI for links to terrorism. FBI agents investigating Hasan were never informed that he was trying to purchase a weapon.

QUANTICO MARINE CORPS BASE, July 27, 2009

Daniel Patrick Boyd and six other suspects were arrested for conspiring to murder U.S. military personnel at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. Boyd, who was under investigation by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, amassed an arsenal of assault rifles and traveled to the Middle East to meet with militants and plan attacks.

LITTLE ROCK MILITARY RECRUITING STATION, June 1, 2009

Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad allegedly attacked a military recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, shooting one private to death and wounding another. Mohammad was under FBI investigation as a terror suspect at the time of the shooting.

FORT DIX, 2007

Six terror suspects were caught training with various firearms and plotting to attack Fort Dix. When they attempted to buy additional firearms such as M-16s, AK-47s, and handguns from a government informant, law enforcement officials were able to arrest the terror suspects before they could strike. One of the six terror suspects pleaded guilty to providing firearms to illegal aliens and the other five suspects were convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. military personnel.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE, March 1, 1994

As a van containing 16 students was returning from a prayer vigil, Rashid Baz opened fire on them with a fully automatic weapon on an on-ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge, killing 16-year-old Ari Halberstam and wounding two others. Baz was armed with a machine gun, a 9 mm pistol, and a "street sweeper" shotgun.

CIA HEADQUARTERS, January 25, 1993

Mir Aimal Kasi walked into traffic stopped at a red light near CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Shooting from point blank with an assault rifle he purchased from a gun dealer in Virginia, he killed two CIA employees and wounded three others. Kasi then fled to Pakistan, where he remained at large until his arrest in 1997. He had been on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List as a result of this shooting.

More than 500 mayors have joined together and called on Congress to act. In the aftermath of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Mayors Against Illegal Guns published an open letter print ad in the Washington Post calling on Congress to close the Terror Gap. It's up to you to stand with them and make sure your representatives close the Terror Gap now.