THE CITY OF New YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
New YORK, N.Y. 10007

November 24, 2015

The Honorable Paul D. Ryan The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Speaker Majority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 205l0

Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. Leader:

As the mayor of the top terror target in the United States, and one of the top terror targets
in the world, I write to you today urging swift Congressional action and approval of the Denying
Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. This bipartisan legislation would forbid
the sale of explosives and ?rearms, including semi-automatic assault weapons, to individuals
who the U.S. Attomey General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities, and who
could use these weapons in a terrorist attack.

Quite simply, if someone is too dangerous to be permitted to ?y aboard a commercial
aircraft because of known or suspected ties to terrorist organizations, then those same individuals
should not be allowed to legally purchase the types of weapons used by those who launched the
unspeakable attacks in Paris on November 13?1 that killed 130 innocent civilians.

The potential for danger is real. According to a November 20lh Associated Press report,
citing a review conducted in March by the Government Accountability Of?ce, people on the
FBI's consolidated Terrorist Watchlist successfully passed the background check required to
purchase ?rearms more than 90 percent of the time, with more than 2,043 approvals between
2004 and 2014."

The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act is supported by
Democrats and Republicans alike. It was introduced in 2007 with the support of Republican
President George W. Bush, and its primary sponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives is New
York Republican Congressman Peter King. Furthermore, law enforcement of?cials, including
my police commissioner William J. Bratton, have identi?ed this legislation as a critical tool
needed to help keep U.S. communities safe from terrorist threats.

Yet movement on this legislation appears stalled. When asked last week about this issue,
Speaker Ryan reportedly stated, "We are just beginning this process of reassessing all of our
security stances." Majority Leader McConnell has not yet said if a Vote on the bill will occur in
the U.S. Senate.

Here in New York City, we remain vigilant and on constant alert at all times to keep our
city and our people safe. The New York Police Department ?elds the ?nest counter-terrorism
unit of any city in the United States, featuring the latest technology, best tactics, and recently
increased force levels. But the recent attacks in Beirut and in Paris, and the crash of a Russian
airliner over Egypt, remind us we can leave no tool on the table in the fight against terrorism.

If someone is considered too much of a terror risk to ?y on a commercial airliner then
that same person should not be able to legally buy a semi-automatic weapon. It is just that
simple. On behalf of 8.4 million New Yorkers, I urge each of you to bring to a vote and help
pass the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.

Sincerely,

Em. gage.?

Bill de Blasio
Mayor