BOSTON -- Saying Congress is more concerned about steroids in baseball than guns in the hands of terrorists, some Massachusetts activists are seeking to add two types of guns to the list of those banned in the commonwealth.
NewsCenter 5's Lynn Jolicoeur reported that officials say there are too many loopholes in federal laws, which are allowing criminals to easily purchase two types of very powerful guns.
They want to take steps on the state level to try to protect people in Massachusetts. Some state lawmakers and law enforcement leaders are working to ban the 50-caliber Barrett assault rifle that would fire the ammo, as well as the 5.7 handgun, which can pierce police body armor.
"The weapons we seek to ban are cop killers. They have no place on our streets. They have no place in the hands of criminals," Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said.
Lawmakers and activists say a recent report found that the FBI approved gun applications for 47 suspected terrorists last year.
Sen. Jarrett Barrios and a house colleague will file legislation Wednesday to ban the two guns in question.
"There are too many easy targets at Logan Airport that a terrorists can get their hands on just by going online," Barrios said.
The Government Accounting Office report found the gun transactions proceeded because no prohibiting information -- such as felony convictions -- came up during the background checks. There was no crosschecking with counter-terrorism watch lists.
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Lynn Jolicoeur Reports On Proposals
