In discussing the NRA’s argument against the Democrats’ newly proposed legislation, which seeks to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday that it’s not about gun control.
“I do not believe Mr. Lapierre is correct on this, but let me say this, John, this is really a national security issue. It isn’t a gun control issue,” she said. “The FBI has about a thousand ongoing investigations. [CIA Director] John Brennan told the intelligence committee on Thursday in open hearing that ISIL is actively pursuing operations to commit attacks in the west and bring people in to western countries, whether it’s through immigration, whether its over the border or any other way. Fact of the matter is that is well-known that terrorist can come into this country, they do not — they are not on the nix list, which is the database of ten situations where you can deny a gun. They’re not there, and therefore buy a gun legally in this country. What this legislation does is give the attorney general the authority that if there is reasonable suspicion that the person when they do the background check is a potential terrorist, the gun sale can be denied. It also has an appeal process, an administrative appeal process as well as a legal process."
She went on to argue that their proposed legislation would have picked up Orlando shooter Omar Mateen.