S 34
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 34
To increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General
to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of firearms and explosives
licenses to known or suspected dangerous terrorists.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE,
Mr. REED, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. DURBIN, and Mrs. BOXER) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary
A BILL
To increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General
to deny the transfer of firearms or the issuance of firearms and explosives
licenses to known or suspected dangerous terrorists.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous
Terrorists Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. GRANTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE AUTHORITY TO DENY THE SALE,
DELIVERY, OR TRANSFER OF A FIREARM OR THE ISSUANCE OF A FIREARMS OR
EXPLOSIVES LICENSE OR PERMIT TO DANGEROUS TERRORISTS.
(a) Standard for Exercising Attorney General Discretion Regarding Transferring
Firearms or Issuing Firearms Permits to Dangerous Terrorists- Chapter
44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting after section 922 the following:
`Sec. 922A. Attorney General's discretion to deny transfer of a firearm
`The Attorney General may deny the transfer of a firearm under section
922(t)(1)(B)(ii) of this title if the Attorney General--
`(1) determines that the transferee is known (or appropriately suspected)
to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation
for, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support
or resources for terrorism; and
`(2) has a reasonable belief that the prospective transferee may use
a firearm in connection with terrorism.
`Sec. 922B. Attorney General's discretion regarding applicants for
firearm permits which would qualify for the exemption provided under
section 922(t)(3)
`The Attorney General may determine that--
`(1) an applicant for a firearm permit which would qualify for an
exemption under section 922(t) is known (or appropriately suspected)
to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation
for, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support
or resources for terrorism; and
`(2) the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the applicant
may use a firearm in connection with terrorism.';
(2) in section 921(a), by adding at the end the following:
`(36) The term `terrorism' includes international terrorism and domestic
terrorism, as those terms are defined in section 2331 of this title.
`(37) The term `material support or resources' has the same meaning
as in section 2339A of this title.
`(38) The term `responsible person' means an individual who has the
power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of the applicant or licensee pertaining
to firearms.'; and
(3) in the table of sections, by inserting after the item relating
to section 922 the following:
`922A. Attorney General's discretion to deny transfer of a firearm.
`922B. Attorney General's discretion regarding applicants for firearm
permits which would qualify for the exemption provided under section
922(t)(3).'.
(b) Effect of Attorney General Discretionary Denial Through the National
Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) on Firearms Permits-
Section 922(t) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by inserting `or State law, or that the
Attorney General has determined to deny the transfer of a firearm
pursuant to section 922A of this title' before the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting `, or if the Attorney General has not determined to deny
the transfer of a firearm pursuant to section 922A of this title'
after `or State law';
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in subclause (I), by striking `and' at the end; and
(II) by adding at the end the following:
`(III) was issued after a check of the system established pursuant
to paragraph (1);';
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting `and' after the semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
`(iii) the State issuing the permit agrees to deny the permit application
if such other person is the subject of a determination by the Attorney
General pursuant to section 922B of this title;';
(4) in paragraph (4), by inserting `, or if the Attorney General has
not determined to deny the transfer of a firearm pursuant to section
922A of this title' after `or State law'; and
(5) in paragraph (5), by inserting `, or if the Attorney General has
determined to deny the transfer of a firearm pursuant to section 922A
of this title' after `or State law'.
(c) Unlawful Sale or Disposition of Firearm Based Upon Attorney General
Discretionary Denial- Section 922(d) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting
`; or'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(10) has been the subject of a determination by the Attorney General
under section 922A, 922B, 923(d)(3), or 923(e) of this title.'.
(d) Attorney General Discretionary Denial as Prohibitor- Section 922(g)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the comma at the end and inserting
`; or'; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
`(10) who has received actual notice of the Attorney General's determination
made under section 922A, 922B, 923(d)(3) or 923(e) of this title,'.
(e) Attorney General Discretionary Denial of Federal Firearms Licenses-
Section 923(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking `Any' and inserting `Except as provided in paragraph (3),
any'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) The Attorney General may deny a license application if the Attorney
General determines that the applicant (including any responsible person)
is known (or appropriately suspected) to be or have been engaged in
conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism,
or providing material support or resources for terrorism, and the Attorney
General has a reasonable belief that the applicant may use a firearm
in connection with terrorism.'.
(f) Discretionary Revocation of Federal Firearms Licenses- Section 923(e)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting `(1)' after `(e)';
(2) by striking `revoke any license' and inserting the following:
`revoke--
(3) by striking `. The Attorney General may, after notice and opportunity
for hearing, revoke the license' and inserting the following: `;
(4) by striking `. The Secretary's action' and inserting the following:
`; or
`(C) any license issued under this section if the Attorney General
determines that the holder of such license (including any responsible
person) is known (or appropriately suspected) to be or have been engaged
in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related
to terrorism or providing material support or resources for terrorism,
and the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the applicant
may use a firearm in connection with terrorism.
`(2) The Attorney General's action'.
(g) Attorney General's Ability To Withhold Information in Firearms License
Denial and Revocation Suit-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 923(f)(1) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: `However,
if the denial or revocation is pursuant to subsection (d)(3) or (e)(1)(C),
any information upon which the Attorney General relied for this determination
may be withheld from the petitioner, if the Attorney General determines
that disclosure of the information would likely compromise national
security.'.
(2) SUMMARIES- Section 923(f)(3) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after the third sentence the following: `With
respect to any information withheld from the aggrieved party under
paragraph (1), the United States may submit, and the court may rely
upon, summaries or redacted versions of documents containing information
the disclosure of which the Attorney General has determined would
likely compromise national security.'.
(h) Attorney General's Ability To Withhold Information in Relief From
Disabilities Lawsuits- Section 925(c) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after the third sentence the following: `If
the person is subject to a disability under section 922(g)(10) of this
title, any information which the Attorney General relied on for this
determination may be withheld from the applicant if the Attorney General
determines that disclosure of the information would likely compromise
national security. In responding to the petition, the United States
may submit, and the court may rely upon, summaries or redacted versions
of documents containing information the disclosure of which the Attorney
General has determined would likely compromise national security.'.
(i) Penalties- Section 924(k) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the comma at the end and inserting
`; or'; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
`(4) constitutes an act of terrorism, or providing material support
or resources for terrorism,'.
(j) Remedy for Erroneous Denial of Firearm or Firearm Permit Exemption-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 925A of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking `Remedy for erroneous
denial of firearm' and inserting `Remedies';
(B) by striking `Any person denied a firearm pursuant to subsection
(s) or (t) of section 922' and inserting the following:
`(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any person denied a firearm
pursuant to subsection (t) of section 922 or a firearm permit pursuant
to a determination made under section 922B'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(b) In any case in which the Attorney General has denied the transfer
of a firearm to a prospective transferee pursuant to section 922A of
this title or has made a determination regarding a firearm permit applicant
pursuant to section 922B of this title, an action challenging the determination
may be brought against the United States. The petition shall be filed
not later than 60 days after the petitioner has received actual notice
of the Attorney General's determination under section 922A or 922B of
this title. The court shall sustain the Attorney General's determination
upon a showing by the United States by a preponderance of evidence that
the Attorney General's determination satisfied the requirements of section
922A or 922B, as the case may be. To make this showing, the United States
may submit, and the court may rely upon, summaries or redacted versions
of documents containing information the disclosure of which the Attorney
General has determined would likely compromise national security. Upon
request of the petitioner or the court's own motion, the court may review
the full, undisclosed documents ex parte and in camera. The court shall
determine whether the summaries or redacted versions, as the case may
be, are fair and accurate representations of the underlying documents.
The court shall not consider the full, undisclosed documents in deciding
whether the Attorney General's determination satisfies the requirements
of section 922A or 922B.'.
(2) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for
chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 925A and inserting the following:
(k) Provision of Grounds Underlying Ineligibility Determination by the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System- Section 103 of the
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended--
(A) by inserting `or the Attorney General has made a determination
regarding an applicant for a firearm permit pursuant to section
922B of title 18, United States Code,' after `is ineligible to receive
a firearm'; and
(B) by inserting `except any information for which the Attorney
General has determined that disclosure would likely compromise national
security,' after `reasons to the individual,'; and
(i) by inserting `or if the Attorney General has made a determination
pursuant to section 922A or 922B of title 18, United States Code,'
after `or State law,'; and
(ii) by inserting `, except any information for which the Attorney
General has determined that disclosure would likely compromise
national security' before the period at the end; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: `Any petition for review
of information withheld by the Attorney General under this subsection
shall be made in accordance with section 925A of title 18, United
States Code.'.
(l) Unlawful Distribution of Explosives Based Upon Attorney General
Discretionary Denial- Section 842(d) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting `; or';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(10) has received actual notice of the Attorney General's determination
made pursuant to subsection (j) or (d)(1)(B) of section 843 of this
title.'.
(m) Attorney General Discretionary Denial as Prohibitor- Section 842(i)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by inserting `; or' at the end; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
`(8) who has received actual notice of the Attorney General's determination
made pursuant to subsection (j) or (d)(1)(B) of section 843 of this
title,'.
(n) Attorney General Discretionary Denial of Federal Explosives Licenses
and Permits- Section 843 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking `Upon' and inserting `Except as
provided in subsection (j), upon'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(j) The Attorney General may deny the issuance of a permit or license
to an applicant if the Attorney General determines that the applicant
or a responsible person or employee possessor thereof is known (or appropriately
suspected) to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation
of, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support
or resources for terrorism, and the Attorney General has a reasonable
belief that the person may use explosives in connection with terrorism.'.
(o) Attorney General Discretionary Revocation of Federal Explosives
Licenses and Permits- Section 843(d) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by inserting `(1)' after `(d)';
(2) by striking `if in the opinion' and inserting the following: `if--
`(A) in the opinion'; and
(3) by striking `. The Secretary's action' and inserting the following:
`; or
`(B) the Attorney General determines that the licensee or holder (or
any responsible person or employee possessor thereof) is known (or
appropriately suspected) to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting,
in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing
material support or resources for terrorism, and that the Attorney
General has a reasonable belief that the person may use explosives
in connection with terrorism.
`(2) The Attorney General's action'.
(p) Attorney General's Ability To Withhold Information in Explosives
License and Permit Denial and Revocation Suits- Section 843(e) of title
18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after the first sentence the following:
`However, if the denial or revocation is based upon an Attorney General
determination under subsection (j) or (d)(1)(B), any information which
the Attorney General relied on for this determination may be withheld
from the petitioner if the Attorney General determines that disclosure
of the information would likely compromise national security.'; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: `In responding
to any petition for review of a denial or revocation based upon an
Attorney General determination under subsection (j) or (d)(1)(B),
the United States may submit, and the court may rely upon, summaries
or redacted versions of documents containing information the disclosure
of which the Attorney General has determined would likely compromise
national security.'.
(q) Ability To Withhold Information in Communications to Employers-
Section 843(h)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting `or in subsection (j) of this
section (on grounds of terrorism)' after `section 842(i)'; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting `or in subsection
(j) of this section,' after `section 842(i),'; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting `, except that any information
that the Attorney General relied on for a determination pursuant
to subsection (j) may be withheld if the Attorney General concludes
that disclosure of the information would likely compromise national
security' after `determination'.
(r) Conforming Amendment to Immigration and Nationality Act- Section
101(a)(43)(E)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)(E)(ii))
is amended by striking `or (5)' and inserting `(5), or (10)'.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall issue guidelines describing
the circumstances under which the Attorney General will exercise the
authority and make determinations under subsections (d)(1)(B) and
(j) of section 843 and sections 922A and 922B of title 18, United
States Code, as amended by this Act.
(2) CONTENTS- The guidelines issued under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) provide accountability and a basis for monitoring to ensure
that the intended goals for, and expected results of, the grant
of authority under subsections (d)(1)(B) and (j) of section 843
and sections 922A and 922B of title 18, United States Code, as amended
by this Act, are being achieved; and
(B) ensure that terrorist watch list records are used in a manner
that safeguards privacy and civil liberties protections, in accordance
with requirements outlines in Homeland Security Presidential Directive
11 (dated August 27, 2004).
END
