A Gun seller. Photo: Pål Joakim Olsen.

In 30 seconds, any American tuned to national cable TV, will become aware of the extraordinary and extreme danger in which society is placed because of the ease with which guns can be obtained by terrorists.  “What are you waiting for?” says the American born Azzam al-Amriki, aka Adam Gadahn, the soft faced Al Qaeda spokesman. “Buy guns!  Specifically pointing out gun shows – where no background check is done – it’s the easy way to obtain weapons of near military capability. Would be terrorists are encouraged to take advantage of this “golden opportunity.”

Who will act first – Congress or the terrorists? al Amriki is inciting followers, specifically “lone wolf” terrorists to do “major damage to the enemies of Islam, waging war on their religion, sacred places, things, and brethren.”

Is this not an open exhortation to target Jews and Jewish institutions?’

Over 600 mayors of cities of every size have launched a national cable TV campaign to urge the passage of Fix Gun Checks Act of 2011 and the Denying Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2011 to close the gun show loophole. “Criminals already know how to take advantage of gaps in our gun laws, and now Al Qaeda knows, too,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The Mayor noted that “Americans, including NRA members, overwhelmingly support stronger laws to keep guns away from terrorists and other dangerous people…Weak gun laws aren’t just a crime problem, they’re a national security threat.”

The advertising campaign is intended to encourage voters to alert their Congressional representatives about the need to tighten lax gun control laws “a critical national security issue” and close the loopholes.

The Al Qaeda video exhorts terrorists to buy firearms at gun shows where there are often no background checks. (Private sellers are exempt.)

Legislation now before Congress would eliminate “this weakness in the law. The Fix Gun Checks Act (S.436/H.R.1781) would close the private sale loophole by improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and requiring instant background checks for all gun sales. Guns and explosives can be legally bought – even by those on a national terror watch list.

The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act (S.34/H.R.1506) would “give the Attorney General the discretion to block terror suspects from buying guns or explosives on a case-by-case basis.” New York Representative Peter King, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee has introduced this bill. The bills have garnered bi partisan support from more than 80% of Americans polled. The complete Al Qaeda video is available to Algemeiner readers.

Mayors Bloomberg and Menino have been outspoken voices in Mayors Against Illegal Guns since its inception in 2006. The organization has grown from 15 mayors to more than 600, and “has united the nation’s mayors around these common goals: protecting their communities by holding gun offenders and irresponsible gun dealers accountable; providing access to trace data that is critical to law enforcement efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking; and working with legislators to fix gaps, weaknesses and loopholes in the law that make it far too easy for criminals and other prohibited purchasers to get guns.”

The organization has had to work in the shadow of the 2008 US Supreme Court ruling that struck down Washington DC’s handgun ban. The Court cited Second Amendment rights that state “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

When Washington, DC argued its case before the court, it had the support of Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle and Trenton which filed an amicus brief through the US Conference of Mayors. Despite this decision, almost 40 states are examining all aspects of gun safety laws. Tougher laws will discourage or prevent Al Quada operatives from acquiring guns as freely.  The Supreme Court’s decision “does not overturn all existing gun laws in the US:” gun laws with a compelling, and narrowly defined, state interest will remain intact. The Supreme Court’s decision was, however, encouraged by former Vice President Dick Cheney and a majority of Congress.  This case and its expected appeals, however, are far from finished.

The Algeminer has requested information detailing any special efforts being made to protect specifically Jewish targets.  As this information becomes available updates will be posted.