“A key Republican and Democrat in the Senate are attempting to find a bipartisan compromise on gun control legislation that would make it harder for people on the federal terror watch list to purchase firearms or explosives,” washingtonexaminer.com reports. “Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., are seeking a legislative middle ground between Cornyn’s bill, which would impose a three-day delay for those on the list, and Feinstein’s bill, which would ban people on the terror watch list from buying guns.”
As many readers have pointed out, the FBI already has a “three day delay” provision for Americans seeking to purchase a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (a.k.a., gun dealer). Check this from fbi.gov:
“Delayed” response, if the NICS search finds a record that requires more research to determine whether the prospective transferee is disqualified from possessing a firearm by federal or state law. A “Delayed” response to the FFL indicates that the firearm transfer should not proceed pending receipt of a follow-up “Proceed” response from the NICS or the expiration of three business days (exclusive of the day on which the query is made), whichever occurs first.
The existing three-day delay was already a compromise with gun control advocates, who wanted — and still want — there to be no deadline after which a sale may proceed. (A goal now known as “closing the Charlestown loophole.”)
Feinstein’s legislation would place an outright ban on firearm purchases for those who appear on a federal terror watch list that includes those who are not permitted to fly.
Cornyn’s legislation would place a 72-hour delay on gun purchases for people on the terror watch list, and it would require federal officials to prove in court that the person should not be allowed to buy guns.
Careful there! Would Senator Cornyn’s eventual compromise bill requite Uncle Sam to make their case during that 72 hours? Equally, remember that the information held by the government that [supposedly] determines whether or not any given American is a suspected (not necessarily actual) terrorist is secret. What are the odds that a person denied a firearm sale because of this information will get to see it? Nil.
There’s only one reason Senator Cornyn is negotiating with a Democratic Senator who’s sworn to complete civilian disarmament: to lower the investigative standard for a NICS denial — currently restricted to felony criminal conviction, involuntary commitment to a mental institution or drug use — and open a larger window for the sales delay.
In other words, the Texas Senator is working with his California compatriot to make it easier for the government to stop — as in permanently prevent — a firearm sale to an American, based on a secret enemies list devoid of due process. With the NRA’s blessing. With friends like this, who need enemies?