U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) on Thursday introduced legislation (H.R. 5504) to require that the Federal Bureau of Investigation be notified when individuals formerly under a terrorism investigation purchase firearms or explosives.

“We need to make sure that those responsible for our country’s security have all the information they need to help keep Americans safe,” said Thompson. “By alerting the FBI when individuals formerly under a terrorism investigation purchase guns or explosives, the FBI can determine if there is new cause for concern, and hopefully, intervene before tragedy strikes.”

“Congress must take immediate action to better protect the American people from gun violence and terrorism, and that starts with preventing radicalized, hate-filled individuals from having access to dangerous weapons,” said Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL). “It’s unacceptable that suspected terrorists can walk into a gun shop and buy a gun. We need to put the partisanship aside and pass this common-sense bill. The families and communities suffering in the wake of this horrific violence against the LGBT community deserve nothing less.”

“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack against the LGBT community in Orlando, Floridians from across our state are demanding change. There is no one answer to solve the problem of gun violence in America – but that doesn’t mean Congress shouldn’t try to make our streets safer, to save lives, to prevent another tragedy like the Pulse shooting,” said Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL). “This is commonsense legislation that will help prevent suspected terrorists from attacking Americans, without infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens. I applaud Senator Nelson and Representative Thompson for their leadership on this issue, and I’m proud to join them in this effort.”

“Congress’s continuing silence in the face of modern terror threats is completely unacceptable,” said Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT). “Passing H.R. 5504 is a commonsense step forward we should immediately take to help our law enforcement agencies identify and thwart potential terrorists before they can carry out their plans.”

“The presence of an assault weapon enables a gunman to kill many people, in a short amount of time, easily. One cannot kill 49 people, and injure 53 others with a box cutter or a rock,” said Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).

Currently, not only can individuals on the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist pass a background check and legally purchase guns, but the FBI is not notified when individuals formerly under investigation for ties to terrorism purchase firearms or explosives.

Rep. Thompson has sponsored bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1076) to prohibit those on the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist from purchasing firearms and has introduced H.R. 5504 to ensure that after a terrorism investigation is closed, the FBI is alerted should that individual purchase firearms or explosives.

Specifically, H.R. 5504 requires that any individual who is, or who has been, under a terrorism investigation be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

NICS is the national database used to determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to purchase a firearm.

The bill would further require that the NICS system automatically notify the FBI should a background check be conducted for such an individual.

Omar Mateen, the gunman responsible for the mass shooting in Orlando, had been removed from the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist before he legally purchased the two firearms he used in the attack.

H.R. 5504 is the House companion to identical legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). H.R. 5504 has four original cosponsors, including Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-FL), Gwen Graham (D-FL), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Alan Grayson (D-FL).

H.R. 5504 been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.