USA: "Big Hole In America's Security Net"

[cuchulainn]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/30/attack/main556353.shtml

Big Hole In America's Security Net

(CBS) The Bush administration dropped the federal terror alert level back to yellow from orange on Friday, saying intelligence pointing to an imminent attack has decreased. But CBS News has found a big hole in America's anti-terror security net. (found on a VPC press release, that is.)

While it may be causing heartburn for the rest of us, the heightened alerts have been a bonanza for the gun business, reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart.

"When the higher level comes, we start seeing people come in and buying more guns. They're sacred," says gun dealer Don Davis.

What's scaring many lawmen, however, is just who may be buying those guns. Currently, phoned-in background checks only filter out convicted felons, fugitives and a handful of others before a sale is completed.

None of the names on the State Department's terrorist watch list or the no-fly list, for example, are on the background checklist. Even Adnan Shukrijuma, a suspected al Qaeda cell leader sought as a material witness by the FBI, would not show up in a background check by a gun store.

"Why on earth would we want to shield the terrorists from being identified?" says Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Lautenberg has introduced a bill that would give lawmen more time to conduct background checks during heightened terrorist alerts, as well as restrict the amount of black powder that can be sold. Currently stores can sell up to 50 pounds with no background check required. And there's evidence Al Qaeda has taken notice.

"It was found in a manual, a training manual for al Qaeda in Afghanistan in which they suggest that you can find weapons in the United States cheap and they're easily available," Lautenberg says.

Many gun dealers and the National Rifle Association argue there are enough checks in place already. But Davis, for one, feels adding a few more wouldn't hurt sales

"My God, we do records all day. That one more record of checking out one more guy is certainly not going to make any difference if you love this country. And brother, I love this country," Davis says.

The problem is getting all the various agencies to agree how to consolidate their terrorist watch lists.

Until then, the scary reality is the FBI might want you, the airlines won't sell you any tickets, but you can still buy a gun in America.


© MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

[El Tejon]

Don Davis? Why does this guy continue to run his mouth?

I am deeply ashamed that he is from here.

 

[Standing Wolf]

"It was found in a manual, a training manual for al Qaeda in Afghanistan in which they suggest that you can find weapons in the United States cheap and they're easily available," Lautenberg says.

Yeah, like box cutters.

 

[tyme]

There are holes in America, but they tend to be concentrated places like CBS, CNN, ABC, MD, D.C., NYC, LA, SF, and CHI.

 

[Zundfolge]

Lautenberg has introduced a bill that would give lawmen more time to conduct background checks during heightened terrorist alerts

Well folks I hate to sound like one of the tin foil hat crowd, but if this passes its the begining of the end ... time to stop talking and get ready to start shooting the bastards.

The real goal will be to shut down gun sales "during heightened terrorist alerts".

So how long do you think until we're on highest alert permanently?

How long after that until the feds decide your CCW isn't valid "during heightened terrorist alerts".

How long after that until the feds decide that during a prolonged "heightened terrorist alert" you will not be allowed to leave your property with a firearm (even to hunt or go to the range).

The final step is to declare that if we hit the "highest terrorist alert level" that we are under martial law and you must turn in your guns.


Just like they use the "war on drugs" and "environmental protection" to eliminate our property rights, they are going to use the "war on terror" to eliminate self defense and privacy rights.

 

[Mr. James]

Zundfolge,

Spot on, but I'd humbly remind you, according to Lousenburg, we're already in a permanent state of "heightened terrorist alert." This moron's proposal would define "heightened terrorist alert" as any time the HomeSec has determined the "terror alert" level is anything higher than "green." It has ALWAYS been higher than "green," so these measures would be a permanent, full-time addition to our landscape.

Makes you long for the Torch. To light a pyre under Lousenburg, that is.

 

[Waitone]

I always thought the big hole in America's security net was the southern border with Mexico closely followed by the northern border with Canada.

 

[QKRTHNU]

The Big Hole in America's "Security" is the double-edged sword called Freedom.

I say keep it wide open.

 

[Wild Bill]

Pecking away at freedom one increment at a time. Scary stuff.

 

[tyme]

qkrthnu, Freedom isn't a hole in America's security, but the provider of it.