NRA Statement on Terror Watch List Distortions

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action issued the following statement on the terror watch list distortions:

"The NRA does not want terrorists or dangerous people to have firearms, any suggestion otherwise is offensive and wrong," said Jennifer Baker, director of public affairs. "Under the current system, law enforcement is notified every time a person on the list attempts to purchase a firearm. Law Enforcement then makes a case by case decision on the appropriate follow-up for each circumstance.

"The NRA's only objective is to ensure that Americans who are wrongly on the list are afforded their constitutional right to due process.  It is appalling that anti-gun politicians are exploiting the Paris terrorist attacks to push their gun-control agenda and distract from President Obama’s failed foreign policy."

Background Information: 

• Tampa Tribune: So Much for Innocent -'til Proven Guilty
   
• National Review: Anyone Who Would Use Terror as an Excuse to Subvert the Second Amendment Should Be Tarred & Feathered
   
• Denver FBI spokesman Carl Schlaff said the following regarding FBI Terror watch list in a 2005 Rocky Mountain News article:

"Schlaff said there’s no cause to deny someone a gun just because he or she is on the watch list. Some people are on the list simply because the FBI wants to interview them about someone else who may have a connection to terrorism. ‘You're innocent until proven guilty,’ he said.

Sometimes the watch list will warn local law enforcement to contact the FBI about a person on the list immediately. In other cases, it says only to be aware that the FBI is interested in the person, Schlaff said.” (Ann Imse, “Gun Shoppers on Terrorism Watch List,” Rocky Mountain News, 3/9/2005)

• Video: Former CIA Operative Mike Baker Explains the Flaws in the Terrorist Watchlist
  

• National Review: The NRA Is Absolutely Right to Fear the Terrorism Watch List'
  

• Forbes: Did Terrorists Have A 91% Success Rate With Buying Guns In America?
  

• Huffington Post: 7 Ways That You (Yes, You) Could End Up On A Terrorist Watch List

• Huffington Post: Ford Motor Co., 2-Year-Old, Innocent Man Have Records In Terror Database
  

• Huffington Post: Nelson Mandela Was On The U.S. Terrorist Watch List Until 2008
  

• Huffington Post: Fox News Pundit Winds Up On The Terrorist Watch List
  

• New York Times: Senator? Terrorist? A Watch List Stops Kennedy at Airport

• USA Today: Terrorist Watch List Hits 1 million

• Yahoo News: US Terrorist Database Growing at Rapid Rate
  

• LA Times: The 'terrorist screening database': Are they all terrorists?
  

• Tech Dirt: Nearly 40% Of Those On The Government's Terrorist Watchlist Have 'No Affiliation With Recognized Terrorism Groups'

• New York Times: Editorial—Terror Watch Lists Run Amok

• Washington Post: The no-fly list is a terrible tool for gun control, in part because it is a terrible tool
   

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.