Terrorism recasts gun debate

SUMMARY: Gun control groups argue that U.S. gun laws make it easy for terrorists to get firearms.

But gun rights groups argue that stricter gun laws will not stop terrorists from getting their hands on these deadly weapons.

Erich Pratt, spokesman for the Gun Owners of America, said:  “If we learned anything from the Paris shootings, where the gun laws are much stricter, it is that prohibiting good people from possessing guns does not stop criminals and terrorists from getting their hands on them.”

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Terrorism recasts gun debate

Gun control groups have a new argument: U.S. gun laws make it easy for terrorists to get firearms….

The Senate voted Thursday on legislation backed by the Brady Campaign that allowed federal authorities to block suspected terrorists from purchasing guns.

But in a 45-54 vote, the Senate rejected adding the measure to legislation repealing ObamaCare. Only one Democrat, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), opposed the measure, while Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.) was the only Republican to back it.

The failure highlights the tough road gun control activists face in seeking to win the change.

It’s not clear the new arguments about terrorism will resonate with lawmakers, or the public.

Gun rights supporters argue that if more people were armed, they could defend themselves from would-be terrorists. GOP presidential candidates have made similar arguments in response to the terrorist attack in Paris that killed 130 people, and mass shootings in the United States…. 

Second Amendment defenders warn that some people — including even congressmen and senators — have been mistakenly placed on the no-fly list. They argue it is unfair to block these people from owning guns without so much as a court trial….

Gun rights groups also argue that stricter gun laws will not stop terrorists from getting their hands on these deadly weapons.

“If we learned anything from the Paris shootings, where the gun laws are much stricter, it is that prohibiting good people from possessing guns does not stop criminals and terrorists from getting their hands on them,” said Erich Pratt, spokesman for the Gun Owners of America.

Read More at The Hill