Odd Support

As the gun debate on background continues, those wishing to prevent background checks find themselves with an unintended ally, al Qaeda. When I first heard this story, I thought this has got to be a hoax or at the least something from the gun safety supporters. I checked Snopes, FactCheck.org and a number of news sites and not one dispute it authenticity.

Adam Gadahn is an American who has become the spokesperson for al Qaeda. He is to say the least a traitor and is on the FBI's wanted list. What is odd here is that he discusses the availability of guns for would be terrorist in the US: "America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle, without a background check, and most likely without having to show an identification card. So what are you waiting for?"

2011 terrorist video*

Now admittedly, he is wrong about his information.  It is illegal to sell fully automatic weapons.  It must, however, be a bit disconcerting to support the same loophole in gun laws supported by al Quaeda. The idea of using our gun laws to arm terrorist is not new. In 2001, Ali Boumelhem, a Hezbollah member was convicted on charges of conspiring to smuggle guns and ammunition to Lebanon. The F.B.I. documented that Boumelhem bought weapons at gun shows in Michigan. It has also been pointed out by ATF officials that gun shows are "a major venue for illegal trafficking" of weapons, sometimes involving Mexican drug cartels.

It is also odd that a person who is on the terrorist watch lists can still buy a gun.  He will be or is suppose to be flagged if he tries to fly or cross the border, but he can still go to a gun show in one of 33 states and purchase a gun.  Senator Lindsey Graham following his filibuster vote to stop background checks gave a speech on detaining the Boston bombers as enemy combatants.  After the speech a reporter asked if gun sale laws should not be expanded to include those on the terrorist watch lists.  He responded, "I think anyone who's on the terrorist watch list should not lose their Second Amendment right without the ability to challenge that determination."

I guess it's true.  Politics do, indeed, make strange bedfellows.

*(I tried to embed the video here, but am unable to do so. Please follow the link to YouTube if you wish to see it.)