Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) and Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY) today introduced the Explosive Materials Background Check Act.  This important and bipartisan legislation would require a background check in order to purchase explosive materials and close a loophole which currently allows felons, mentally ill persons, suspected terrorists, and other dangerous individuals to have access to explosive materials without any restraints.

“I’m pleased to join my colleague, Congressman King, in introducing legislation on this critical national security issue.  It is imperative that we give law enforcement the necessary tools to ensure their ability to protect us from individuals looking to cause America harm,” Congressman Lynch said.  “This reasonable legislation will put safeguards in place to make sure we do our best to keep explosive materials out of the hands of suspected terrorists, dangerous individuals, and others who should not have access to such materials.”  

“Unfortunately, recent tragic events have highlighted the need to keep explosives out of the hands of those who intend to do us harm. I’m proud to work with Congressman Lynch on this important legislation. It’s common sense,” Congressman King said.   

The Explosive Materials Background Check Act would make America safer by doing the following:

•    Requiring a background check and permit to purchase black powder, black powder substitute, and smokeless powder in any quantity.
•    Making it illegal to manufacture homemade explosives without a license.
•    Allowing the federal government the authority to stop the issuance of an explosives permit, with redress safeguards, when the applicant is a known or suspected terrorist and it is reasonably believed that the person may use the explosives in connection with terrorism.
•    Updating prohibited categories for explosive purchasers by including domestic violence prohibited categories currently in federal firearms background check laws.

Congressman Lynch and Congressman King co-chair the Task Force on Anti-Terrorism and Proliferation Finance which examines US efforts to disrupt terrorism financing.