US Senate Mulls Bill to Alert FBI if Terror Suspects Buy Firearms

A new bill introduced in the US Senate would allow for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to be alerted if an individual who has previously been probed for having terrorist ties purchases a firearm, a press release from the office of Senator Bill Nelson said on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The FBI stated that the man responsible for the deadly shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on Sunday was placed on a terrorism watch list from 2013 to 2014.

"If a background check is conducted for a prospective gun buyer who is, or has been investigated for potential ties to terrorism, Nelson’s bill would require that the NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check System] automatically notify the appropriate division of the FBI," the release stated.

However, the release quoted FBI Director James Comey as saying that in cases closed as inconclusive, there is no notification triggered by a person when attempting to purchase a firearm.

The legislation now heads to the US Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

On Sunday, 29-year old Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injuring at least 53 others in the nightclub shooting. Police killed him when they stormed the club. Mateen legally purchased a handgun and a Sig Sauer MCX rifle from a gunshop on June 4 and June 5.