U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for passage of legislation prohibiting individuals on the U.S. terrorist watch list from buying guns.
Schumer noted the arrests this week of three Brooklyn men on charges they conspired to join ISIS in Syria or carry out attacks at home. If they were on the terrorist watch list, the bill Schumer's backing would have prohibited them from buying firearms or explosives.
The watch list prevents individuals from flying on airplanes into and out of the country.
The federal database used to check gun buyers currently prohibits convicted felons and people with certain mental illnesses from buying guns.
Schumer says information from the Government Accountability Office shows individuals on the terrorist watch list cleared background checks 455 times in 486 attempted gun buys in 2013-2014.
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