Need a Gun? On the Terrorist Watch List? No Problem

People placed on Washington's terrorist watch list can be prevented from boarding an airplane or getting a visa, but they can still buy a gun, the New York Times reports. In the last 5 years, people on the list tried to buy guns nearly 1,000 times, and current laws forced federal authorities to approve requests 90% of the time. One buyer even picked up 50 pounds of explosives.

Officials must clear gun purchases, the Times notes, unless potential buyers can be disqualified for being a felon, illegal immigrant, or drug addict. “This is a glaring omission, and it’s a security issue,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who proposes granting the attorney general authority to block such sales. But the NRA says Lautenberg’s approach opposes “the interests of public safety.”
(More National Rifle Association stories.)