“Good morning, everyone.
“We really should be almost beginning this hearing with a prayer. We have moments of silence on the Floor over and over again on the occasion of high-profile attacks on our people, but we cannot remain silent. For us to
honor the responsibilities that we have to protect and defend the American people – we must not only have moments of silence, we must have days of action. “That’s why I’m so grateful to Congressman Mike Thompson, the Chair of our House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and Congresswoman Robin Kelly, the Vice Chair of the Task Force, for bringing us together this morning. That’s why I’m so pleased that so many of our Members are here today to bear witness because it’s not just the high-profile occasions, as much as they challenge our conscience and tear at our heartstrings, it’s the everyday violence in our country that must be addressed. So, I thank our colleagues for hosting this forum and for their relentless efforts and determined leadership in confronting the gun violence crisis. We are grateful to our expert panelists for sharing their insights, experience and solutions. They will be introduced by our two co-chairs here today, but I wanted to personally welcome them and thank them as well.
“Again, we’re here to say, ‘No more silence. We must take commonsense action to prevent gun violence.’ To start, we can and must bring up the bipartisan Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act to close the loophole that allows suspects to purchase guns, which Republicans have locked from debate three times.
“This is a Republican bill. So this isn’t about partisanship. This is a Republican bill that we’re asking to be brought up. And we must pass the bipartisan King-Thompson – again bipartisan – legislation to beef up background checks and keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people. And we must create the Select Committee to Prevent Gun Violence so that we can determine and report back commonsense solutions to confront this crisis.
“Our inaction is unconscionable. Our silence is just inconceivable. How can we remain silent? Enough is enough. No more violence. No more silence. And with that, I’m pleased to yield to our distinguished Chair of the Task Force, Mr. Thompson.
Source: Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015
Amends the federal criminal code to grant the Attorney General the authority to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of a federal firearms and explosives license to any individual if the Attorney General: (1) determines that such individual has been engaged in or has provided material support or resources for terrorist activities, and (2) has a reasonable belief that such individual may use a firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. Allows any individual whose firearm or explosives license application has been denied to bring legal action challenging the denial.
Prohibits the sale or distribution of firearms or explosives to any individual whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities.
Permits the Attorney General to withhold information in firearms and explosives license denial revocation suits if the Attorney General determines that the disclosure of such information would likely compromise national security.
Authorizes the Attorney General to revoke firearms and explosives licenses and permits held by individuals determined to be engaged in terrorism.
