Sen. Nelson files bill to keep guns away from terrorists

TAMPA (FOX 13) - After the tragic mass shooting in Orlando, Florida Senator Bill Nelson is looking ahead to what can be done to stop such attacks from happening again.

Nelson introduced legislation on Wednesday that would alert the FBI if a terrorism suspect buys a gun.

The legislation would apply, "if you've been questioned about a possible terrorist act, much more so if you've been put on the terrorist watch list, but have been taken off," said Nelson.

Instead of automatically banning someone investigated for terrorism ties from purchasing a gun, the bill calls for the potential buyer to be added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), automatically notifying the FBI if someone they have investigated is able to buy a gun.

"It seems to me that this is common sense, and had that been in place and in law, 50 people, 49 victims, would not be dead," said Nelson.

Omar Mateen, who opened fire on the crowded Pulse nightclub early Sunday morning, killing 49 people, was on the FBI watch list in 2013. He was interviewed three times by the FBI for comments made to coworkers related to terrorism and his possible ties to a known terrorist.

Mateen's background check was never flagged when he legally purchased the weapons used in the nightclub massacre.

"It's common sense. If you can't fly, why should you be able to purchase a firearm?" said Fred Flesche, owner of Shooting Sports in Tampa.

Flesche said as a gun salesman, he relies on government background checks to alert him if someone should not be able to purchase a weapon.

He said the issue with most legislation on gun purchases is the "fine print" added into bills prior to them passing that adds other limitations on gun sales, aside from keeping them out of the hands of terrorists.

"In so many cases, these bills get extended beyond that scope," said Flesche.

He said limiting the sales of certain guns, such as an AR-15, will not fix the bigger issue of mass shootings and terrorism in the country.

Democratic lawmakers called for a special session on Wednesday to halt gun sales to people currently on the FBI watch list. Lawmakers are also pushing to change requirements for becoming a security guard.

Mateen worked as a security guard. He got his Florida Firearms License when he was hired in 2007.