TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -- Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, the Co-Founders of Americans for Responsible Solutions, released the following statement Sunday night following President Obama's address to the nation in the wake of Wednesday's tragedy in San Bernardino, California.
Giffords and Kelly, who met with President Obama in the Oval Office on Friday, applauded the President for calling on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation closing the 'terror gap,' which allows suspected terrorists to pass a gun background check and legally purchase a gun. The need for bipartisan action closing the 'terror gap' was among the topics discussed in Friday's meeting with President Obama.
On Thursday, the United States Senate had blocked a proposal to close the 'terror gap.'
"Faced with the growing threat of active shooter terrorism here at home, Congress has done something remarkable: nothing at all. Time and time again, Congress has done what the gun lobby has asked: protect the loophole that lets suspected terrorists legally buy guns in our country," said Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Kelly. "Allowing suspected terrorists to walk into a firearms dealer, pass a background check, and walk out with a gun makes absolutely no sense. Our Attorney General should have the authority to stop suspected terrorists from buying guns. It's time for our leaders in Washington to stop putting the gun lobby's priorities ahead of public safety, do the responsible thing, and pass the bipartisan proposal that would help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists."
