Sale of Assault Weapons to Terrorists Bill Moyers' NOW 11-15-02 33:01 - 50:49 Video Number 31

After 7-11-01 a manual was discovered in Afghanistan that shows how easy it is to buy assault weapons from dealers in the United States. Agents of ATF monitor an organization that calls itself the Muslims of America. Hidden camera has shown the members of Muslims of America buying assault weapons. An Al Fuqra (Soldiers of Allah) recruiting video has been obtained. It shows how to set up training camps. The NOW video showed numerous training camps dispersed around the United States. The investigation shows that wherever one finds Al Fuqra, one finds assault weapons.

Those who are legally barred from buying assault weapons may still lie on the federal background check form or obtain the weapons through a straw purchase (having someone else purchase the weapon for you). The National Instant Check System (NICS) is the national record of all firearms purchases. Such records could be used to identify which dealers are selling large amounts of assault weapons. ATF asked to see the NICS. Attorney General John Ashcroft would not allow the ATF to see the NICS. Attorney General Ashcroft told the FBI not to use the NICS. Even though the Justice Department issued an opinion that nothing in the NICS legislation prevents the use of NICS, Ashcroft refuses to make the record available. The National Rifle Association position is that NICS is private information and cannot be used by these agencies.

The ATF and FBI have been forced to do post 9/11 investigations without the use of NICS.

There are other loopholes in strategies to prevent dangerous sale of weapons that allow terrorists to buy assault weapons. Eleven percent (11%) of the recovered firearms worldwide sourced in the United States were sold by firearms dealers who reside in Florida. A sale of 800 assault weapons by a dealer to one buyer is perfectly legal. Large sales of assault weapons are concentrated in some dealers. Eleven percent of the weapons sold world wide are sold in Florida. The sale of handguns is regulated, but long guns and shotguns are exempted. The Mac 90 is a sporting version of the AK 47 and available for purchase. Assault weapons sold by U. S. dealers have been found in the hands of gorilla forces in Columbia, Ireland, and Palestine so that they may be used against U. S. forces. Every effort to revise gun laws is opposed by the NRA.