WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act. The legislation would require the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and relevant local law enforcement when an illegal immigrant tries to purchase a gun.

“The National Instant Criminal Background Check system is an important tool to ensure firearms stay out of the wrong hands, which is why I co-introduced the Fix NICS Act,” said Senator Tillis. “It is already against the law for an illegal immigrant to purchase a firearm, and this legislation would notify the appropriate authorities when an illegal immigrant tries to break the law.”

Background:

• When a person tries to buy a firearm from a store, the firearm seller, known as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), contacts the NICS to conduct a background check. That background check verifies the buyer is not ineligible to purchase or own a firearm.
• The FBI maintains a record of prohibited persons which currently includes the names of 14.8 million illegal immigrants. NICS is not, however, required to notify immigration authorities if an applicant is in the country illegally.
• Since November 30, 1998, NICS has issued denials for 49,411 attempted firearm purchases by illegal immigrants. 

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

###