The shock and disbelief turned to anger as we learned more about the circumstances of the shooting. The gunman. Abu Kamal. was in the United States on a tourist visa. and was easily able to purchase a Berreta semiautomatic handgun in Florida. even though there is a 90day residency requirement under Federal law before aliens can purchase a handgun. The current gaps in Federal law are appalling. A foreign national can come to the United States on a tourist visa. or a work visa. and then obtain a handgun legally with ease. There is virtually nothing to stop a terrorist from entering the United States on a tourist visa. and then purchasing a supply of weapons legally in the United States for use in a terrorist activity. There is no legitimate reason why someone who is in the United States temporarily should be able to purchase or carry a firearm here. Senator DuRBiN and I are introducing a bill today to close this gaping loophole. Our bill will prohibit foreign nationals who are in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa from possessing a firearm. Foreign nationals here on a tourist visa. or a temporary work visa. would be prohibited from carrying a firearm. and dealers would be prohibited from knowingly selling them a firearm. The INS already provides immigration information to law enforcement authorities conducting background checks on gun purchasers. so they are wellpositioned to provide this additional information to firearms dealers. The bill does not apply to permanent residents. In addition. a series of sensible exceptions will permit certain foreign nationals who are in the United States temporarily to carry a firearm.
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visa immigration work visa