COLUMBUS—Today, Senator Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) announced he will introduce a resolution urging Congress to adopt legislation banning the sale of guns and explosives to individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Senator Yuko’s resolution urges Congress to take immediate action to address this ongoing issue. 

“Congress has had plenty of time to create and pass this basic legislation, but they refuse to do so,” said Senator Yuko. “There is no excuse for our country to allow suspected terrorists to legally purchase firearms or explosives. It simply doesn’t make sense.”

Senator Yuko’s resolution comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead and 53 others wounded. The individual who perpetrated the killing had recently been on a federal terror watch list, but still legally purchased the assault rifle he used to carry out the shooting.

In the US Senate this month, Senator Chris Murphy stood for nearly 15 hours without a break to demand a vote on two proposals, one of which would ban terror suspects from legally purchasing firearms. In the House, Democrat members of Congress held a 25-hour sit-in to demand a vote on related bills before the body adjourned for a two-week break. Senator Murphy’s filibuster led the Senate to vote on four gun violence prevention amendments, all of which failed to pass. Thus far, neither chamber has passed legislation addressing the Orlando attack.

“The amount of gun violence and mass murder in this country is ludicrous,” said Senator Yuko. “We cannot accept the further senseless loss of innocent lives when it absolutely can be prevented. Congress must act now.”