Immigrant Gun Law: Proposed Bill to Notify Immigration on Firearm Purchase Attempts

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Key Takeaways:

The Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act alerts immigration authorities when a non-citizen attempts to buy a firearm.
Approximately 14.8 million non-citizens are on the FBI’s prohibited firearm purchase list; attempts to buy result in alerts to ICE.
This legislation addresses enforcement of existing firearm laws for non-citizens, enhancing national security and public safety coordination.

What Does the Proposed Immigrant Gun Law Entail?

In a recent legislative push aimed at tightening gun control measures for non-citizens, U.S. Senators including Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Tom Cotton from Arkansas have proposed a bill that seeks to alert immigration authorities when a non-citizen attempts to purchase a firearm. This measure, named the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act, addresses a significant gap in the current background check system used for firearm purchases.

Immigrant Gun Law: Proposed Bill to Notify Immigration on Firearm Purchase Attempts

How Many Non-Citizens Are on the FBI Prohibited List?

The FBI maintains a list of individuals who are prohibited from purchasing firearms. As of now, this list includes approximately 14.8 million people who are living in or have entered the U.S. illegally, according to data released. This list is part of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which, since its implementation on November 30, 1998, has denied 49,411 attempts by non-citizens to acquire firearms.

What Changes Would the New Bill Bring?

Under the proposed legislation, when a person on the FBI prohibited list attempts to buy a gun, NICS would be required to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as relevant local law enforcement agencies. Currently, while it is illegal for non-citizens to purchase firearms, NICS does not have a mandate to inform immigration authorities when such an attempt is made. Senator Tillis highlighted the necessity of this bill by stating, “It is already against the law for an illegal immigrant to purchase a firearm, and this legislation would notify the appropriate authorities when an illegal immigrant tries to break the law.”

Senator Tom Cotton also emphasized the security rationale behind the bill: “Those who come into America illegally should be detained and deported. They certainly shouldn’t be able to purchase a firearm. Our bill is necessary to ensure the proper authorities are notified when an illegal immigrant attempts to buy a gun.”

Why is this Legislation Considered Necessary?

The push for this legislation comes amidst concerns about the enforcement capabilities of current immigration and public safety measures. Senator Cynthia Lummis expressed doubts about the administration’s effectiveness in handling illegal immigration and related security issues, stating, “I have no confidence in this administration’s willingness or ability to prevent illegal aliens from unlawfully entering our country, let alone in preventing them from illegally obtaining a firearm.”

The proposal aims not only to strengthen national security but also to ensure that existing laws regarding non-citizen firearm bans are effectively enforced. By closing this notification loophole, the bill sponsors argue that it will help in apprehending those who are living in the U.S. illegally and attempting to acquire firearms contrary to the law.

For more detailed, official information regarding U.S. immigration laws and policies, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

In Conclusion

The proposed Immigrant Gun Law reflects ongoing efforts by certain lawmakers to tighten control over gun purchases by non-citizens and to enhance the communication channels between different government agencies when illegal attempts are made. If passed, this legislation will mark a significant step in aligning firearm purchase checks with broader national security and public safety objectives.

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Glossary

Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act:
- A proposed legislation that seeks to address the gap in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) by requiring notification to immigration authorities when a non-citizen attempts to purchase a firearm.
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS):
- A database used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives. Individuals on the FBI prohibited list are prevented from purchasing firearms through this system.
FBI Prohibited List:
- A list maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that includes individuals prohibited from purchasing firearms due to various legal reasons, including illegal entry or presence in the U.S.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
- A federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety.
Non-Citizens:
- Individuals who are not citizens of the country in which they are residing or seeking to purchase firearms. In the context of this legislative proposal, non-citizens refer to individuals living in or entering the U.S. illegally who are prohibited from purchasing firearms under existing laws.

This Article In A Nutshell:

The proposed Immigrant Gun Law seeks to address loopholes in tracking non-citizens attempting firearm purchases by notifying relevant authorities. The bill, supported by Senators Tillis and Cotton, aims to tighten security measures and enforce existing firearm purchase bans for illegal residents. This initiative aligns with national security interests.
— By VisaVerge.com