Rep. Robin Kelly Co-Sponsors New Federal Gun Control Bill

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd District) is part of a bipartisan group that introduced new gun control legislation Friday aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of known or suspected terrorists.

The Terrorist Firearms Prevention Act—which was sponsored by a group of nine Democrat and Republican representatives that included Kelly and fellow Illinois Rep. Robert Dold (R-10th District)—would empower the U.S. attorney general to stop gun sales to people on the federal no-fly list, as well as the selectee list, which targets certain individuals for increased screening at airports, according to a press release from Dold's office.

Sales that were denied could be appealed by individuals who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

RELATED: Tammy Duckworth Joins Other U.S. Representatives in House Floor Sit-In

“I am pleased that a handful of brave and honorable Republican colleagues have taken a stand and reached out to work with Democrats on the simplest of measures: keeping guns away from terrorists,” Kelly stated in a press release. "The last two days have been a watershed moment. … This is a problem we can only solve by working together.”

Earlier this week, Democrat representatives, including Kelly and Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-8th District), staged a sit-in on the House floor in an effort to force a vote on an earlier version of a "no fly, no buy" bill.

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