Legislator: We Can’t Take Syrian Refugees Because It’s Too Easy For Them To Buy Guns

[GMDino]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/11/17/3722968/nra-texas-rep-no-syrians-gun-access/

Quote:A Texas state legislator wants the U.S. to stop allowing Syrian refugees into the country. His reasoning: They might be able to buy guns in his state.

Rep. Tony Dale ® made this argument in a television interview on Monday and in letters to Texas’ U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz ® and U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul and John Carter ®.

“While the Paris attackers used suicide vests and grenades,” Dale wrote, “it is clear that firearms also killed a large number of innocent victims. Can you imagine a scenario were [sic] a refugees [sic] is admitted to the United States, is provided with federal cash payments and other assistance, obtains a drivers license and purchases a weapon and executes an attack?” He urged the lawmakers to “do whatever you can to stop the [Syrian refugee] program.”

But Dale is one of the Texas legislature’s most fervent gun-rights advocates. Two weeks ago, he tweeted his National Rifle Association membership renewal. In accepting an “A” rating from the group and the Texas State Rifle Association’s PAC in 2012, he observed: “Perhaps no right is more fundamental than the right to keep and bear arms.” And his campaign website vows his fealty to the Second Amendment, saying it “isn’t just an archaic document,” a “guarantor of all of our other freedoms.” And he and his colleagues in the state legislature have blocked mandatory background checks for all gun purchases.

http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/50144137-story?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=fox7austin

Quote:Governor Greg Abbott has told President Obama that Texas will not accept any of the Syrian refugees the administration was planning to relocate in the lone star state.

With the flag of France hanging from the front porch of the governor's mansion, Monday morning, Governor Greg abbot held a moment of silence for the victims of the attacks in Paris.


After the noon ceremony Abbott explained why he sent a letter to President Obama. Its formal notification the state would no longer accept any Syrian refugee through a federal program which is managed by the state health and human services commission.

Photo Governor says no to refugees while a state lawmaker says those here can buy guns
"They do not have the capability to distinguish between those refugees who can pose as terrorist, and those who may be innocent, and until the United States develops that capability it is essential that we do first things first, and that is and that is to keep the people of the state of Texas safe,” said Governor Abbott.

According to state record, last year 213 Syrian refugees (which includes 23 granted asylum) arrived in Texas. So far this year (FY16) 21 have relocated to Texas. The governor didn't say what he plans to do with them.

State Representative Tony Dale also believes a security gap exists in Texas. In a letter to Governor Abbott - and other state leaders- the Cedar Park Republican issued a warning. It was about how the federal government grants refugees special privileges -- and as a result - the state cannot prevent refugees from getting a Texas Driver’s License.

"So they could get a job in the airport, for example and they could plant something on a plane like we saw in the Sinai Peninsula recently when the Russian airline was taken down, they could board a plane legally in the United States,” said State Rep. Dale.

Federal officials confirmed that gun purchases are also possible by a refugee who has the proper federal document and a Texas Driver’s License. Legislation drafted by Representative Dale, during the previous Regular Session, would have modified how the state provides licenses to visiting foreign nationals, but it never made to the state house floor for debate.

"California when they issue drivers licenses to non-citizens specifically says that it is not to be used for a Federal purpose, not to be used for employment and that means it cannot be used to board a plane ... and presumably it could not be used to purchase a gun,” said Dale.