NY Times: On Terrorist Watch List, but Allowed to Buy Guns

[marmar]

On Terrorist Watch List, but Allowed to Buy Guns

By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: June 20, 2009


WASHINGTON — People on the government’s terrorist watch list tried to buy guns nearly 1,000 times in the last five years, and federal authorities cleared the purchases 9 times out of 10 because they had no legal way to stop them, according to a new government report.

In one case, a person on the list was able to buy more than 50 pounds of explosives.

The new statistics, compiled in a report from the Government Accountability Office that is scheduled for public release next week, draw attention to an odd divergence in federal law: people placed on the government’s terrorist watch list can be stopped from getting on a plane or getting a visa, but they cannot be stopped from buying a gun.

Gun purchases must be approved unless federal officials can find some other disqualification of the would-be buyer, like being a felon, an illegal immigrant or a drug addict.

“This is a glaring omission, and it’s a security issue,” Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, the New Jersey Democrat who requested the study, said in an interview. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/us/politics/20watch.html?_r=3&partner=rss&emc=rss

[sarcasmo]

1. Proud member of the watch list.

[Recursion]

2. When there's due process for that list, I'll support denying their right to buy guns

Mysterious, unaccountable lists to prevent the exercise of a right are not appropriate for democracies.

[Howzit]

3. You do realize that the terrorist watch list was Bush's idea, right?

How many people on these watch lists aren't real terrorists and don't belong on the list? How many people on watch lists are truly dangerous and don't belong "loose" in the street or in the country? Why are they not arrested or deported immediately? If there is insufficient evidence to charge them, what evidence does it take to get on a watch list? Membership to a political discussion forum such as DU?

As if a real terrorist would be interrupted by being denied access to guns through legal channels. As if a real terrorist would draw attention to himself by buying guns at a regular gun shop.

[katandmoon]

4. But of course. Even terrorists need their dick extensions, courtesy the NRA.

[X_Digger]

7. Winnah!

For most blatant use of a freudian projection, I hereby present you with the coveted golden phallus award!!

[katandmoon]

8. Keep it. I'm sure you need it a hell of a lot more than I do.

[ixion]

5. well, the so-called "terrorist watch list" is crap

so it should really be thrown out or revised to include only people who have actually done something.

[RC]

6. You mean dissin' bu$h ain't reason enough?