2016/08: The Orlando massacre: Should the United States ban suspected terrorists from buying guns?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right:On June 15, 2016, CCTV reported on the effect of the Orlando massacre on the debate within the United States on gun laws. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said...
'We have to make sure that people that are terrorists or have even an inclination toward terrorism cannot buy weapons, guns'
Donald Trump, presumptive Republican presidential nominee
'They're blaming you, the (National Rifle Association) for the terrorist attack in Orlando and taking advantage of this tragedy to push their gun control agenda while emotions run high'
National Rifle Association message to members
The issue at a glance
On June 12, 2016, a gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 others inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The assailant was Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American. In a 9-1-1 call shortly after the attack began, Mateen swore allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and later told a negotiator he was 'out here right now' because of American bombing campaigns in Iraq and in Syria. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has issued a statement claiming it found no links between ISIL and Mateen.
Immediately after the attack the United States President, Barack Obama, renewed his calls for those on terrorist watch lists to be denied legal access to guns. Similarly, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, also called for a ban on potential terrorists buying guns.
Four bills were put to the United States Senate, two seeking more rigorous background checks on gun buyers and two calling for various restrictions on suspected terrorists purchasing guns. Democrats staged a 26-hour sit-in to ensure the bills would be debated and voted on.
On June 20 all four bills were defeated in the Senate. The controversy surrounding United States gun laws and in particular limiting the access of potential terrorists to guns continues.