Politics & Government
GOP Rep. Robert Dold Co-Sponsors New Federal Gun Control Bill
The bipartisan legislation introduced Friday would stop gun sales to people on the no-fly list.
Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-10th District) continued swimming against the current of his party when it comes to gun control by introducing a bipartisan bill 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 GOP and Democrat representatives that included Dold and fellow Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd 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.
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“This bipartisan, bicameral proposal to keep dangerous weapons away from those who wish to do our country harm, while protecting due process, is an important step forward and a bipartisan solution we should all be able to get behind,” Dold stated in a press release.
RELATED: 'Thoughts and Prayers Not Enough': Watch Rep. Robert Dold Call for Stronger Gun Control (VIDEO)
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Since the June 12 mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub, Dold, who is up for re-election in the 10th Congressional District against former Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider, has been vocal about federal lawmakers enacting stronger gun control measures. During a speech on the House floor days after the attack, Dold said "thoughts and prayers were not enough" and that Congress needed to pass an earlier version of a "no fly, no buy" bill before the House.
"We must take decisive action and united action to ensure nothing like the attacks on Orlando, Paris, Newtown or San Bernardino ever happen again," Dold said.
RELATED: Tammy Duckworth Joins Other U.S. Representatives in House Floor Sit-In
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 that earlier "no fly, no buy" legislation.
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