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Old May 6, 2010, 03:20 PM   #49
Al Norris
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Join Date: June 29, 2000
Location: Rupert, Idaho
Posts: 9,660
S.1317 - Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009 (H.R. 2159 - companion bill in the House)
Introduced by Sen. Lautenberg, on 06-22-2009

Cosponsors:

Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 11/17/2009
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] - 11/30/2009
Sen Levin, Carl [MI] - 11/30/2009
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] - 11/30/2009
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 1/20/2010
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 12/1/2009
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] - 11/20/2009
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 11/17/2009
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] - 11/30/2009

Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearms or explosives license or permit (or revoke such license or permit) if the Attorney General: (1) determines that the transferee is known (or appropriately suspected) to be engaged in terrorism or has provided material support or resources for terrorism; and (2) has a reasonable belief that the transferee may use a firearm in connection with terrorism. Allows any individual whose firearms or explosives license application has been denied to bring legal action to challenge the denial.

Extends the prohibition against the sale or distribution of firearms or explosives to include individuals whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals engaged in terrorist activities who smuggle or knowingly bring firearms into the United States.

Authorizes the Attorney General to withhold information in firearms and explosives license denial revocation lawsuits and from employers if the Attorney General determines that the disclosure of such information would likely compromise national security.

S. 2870 - Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions Act of 2009
Introduced by Sen. Lautenberg, on 12-01-2009

Cosponsors:

Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 12/1/2009
Sen Levin, Carl [MI] - 12/1/2009
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] - 12/3/2009
Sen Reed, Jack [RI] - 12/1/2009
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 12/1/2009
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] - 12/1/2009

Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to require: (1) the retention for a minimum of 10 years of criminal background check records for known or suspected members of terrorist organizations who attempt to purchase firearms or apply for a state permit to possess, acquire, or carry firearms; and (2) the retention for at least 180 days of other criminal background check records relating to firearms purchases.

Repeals certain provisions that require the destruction within 24 hours of identifying information for individuals who legally purchase or possess firearms.

Witnesses
Panel 1
  • The Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg, U.S. Senate
  • The Honorable Peter T. King, U.S. House of Representatives
  • The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York
  • The Honorable Raymond W. Kelly, Police Commissioner, City of New York
Panel 2
  • Daniel D. Roberts, Assistant Director, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Eileen R. Larence, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office
  • Sandy Jo MacArthur, Assistant Chief, Office of Administrative Services, Los Angeles Police Department
  • Aaron Titus, Privacy Director, Liberty Coalition
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Together the bills do several things, not the least of which is to place the names of people on the "No-Fly" list and the "Terrorist Watch" list (yes, they are separate lists) on the NICS list of prohibited persons.

Both of these lists are secret. We don't know how they are compiled nor do we have a clear means to get our names off of them (that procedure is also secret), should our names have been placed there in error.

There is no clear method of finding out why you were denied. Even the Courts will have to accept what the A.G. says.

The bills enact a de facto gun registration list, for 10 years, if you are a suspected terrorist, or at least 180 days if not. Note that there is no real date to destroy the records, merely a stated minimum time to retain the records.

The list of "witnesses" for yesterdays hearing is only astonishing, if you think this is a serious attempt to move the bills forward.

S. 1317 has been languishing in committee for almost a year. S. 2820 for almost a half year. There have been no new cosponsors since the bills were introduced.

This was a "dog and pony show," at best.

By all means, we shouldn't ignore it, but we need not get in a tizzy about it, either.
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