Nine in 10 on US terror watchlist approved to purchase firearms

91 per cent of people on the United States (US) terrorist watchlist were permitted to by firearms in 2015, according to federal data. A report from the US Government Accountability Office confirmed that individuals on the watchlist were involved in background checks a total of 224 times in 2015, with 223 allowed to proceed. The report was released by Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who requested the data on March 7. Feinstein has proposed legislation that would give the attorney general the power to deny suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. As it currently stands, federal law does not prohibit those on the terrorist watchlist from purchasing firearms or explosives, while it does prohibit those with a felony conviction or illegal immigration status. The release of the data comes in the wake of the devastating attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left 49 dead. The suspect, 29 year-old Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, had reportedly been investigated twice before by the FBI, but was able to purchase the .223-caliber assault rifle and 9mm semi-automatic pistol used in the attack quite lawfully a week before the attack.