Should we ban those placed on the "no fly list" from buying a firearm?

Some would say they saw this coming from a mile away.  On Thursday Dec. 10 Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy announced plans to issue an executive order barring anyone listed on federal terrorist watch lists from purchasing a gun in the state. But while the idea of “no fly, no gun” has found growing support following the mass shooting in San Bernardino last week, including that of President Obama, experts say such a policy may be unconstitutional.

The no fly list is a smaller subset of  the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center’s consolidated Terror Watch List.  It is given to the TSA for their use in screening passengers.

Currently, the simple fact of being on the FBI's Terror Watch list does not exclude anyone from purchasing a firearm unless they are a felon, or hold illegal immigrant status.  However, if anyone on that list does purchase a firearm the FBI is alerted of this action. What is even more crazy is that 72 employees of the Dept. Of Homeland Security are also on that list!

According to Factcheck.org there are roughly 800,000 people on the Terror Watch List, and about 6400 of those people are actually American citizens also on the no fly list.

The terrorists involved in the tragic and senseless shooting in San Bernardino were not any of these lists.

According to a report by Frontline ATF agent Jay Wachtel says that most guns used in crimes are not stolen out of private gun owners' homes and cars. "Stolen guns account for only about 10% to 15% of guns used in crimes."   The report also goes on to say that most guns can be obtained through straw purchases.  Where someone else that can legally purchase a firearm, buys the weapon for someone that does not qualify.

Additionally, the next biggest source comes from corrupt at home and commercial gun dealers.  Those who are licensed to sell guns, known as Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).  Most commercial gun dealers are "straight shooters" or comply with the law. "ATF officials say that only about 8% of the nation's 124,000 retail gun dealers sell the majority of handguns that are used in crimes. They conclude that these licensed retailers are part of a block of rogue entrepreneurs tempted by the big profits of gun trafficking."

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