WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Budd (R-NC) yesterday introduced the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act, which would close a loophole in current law to prohibit illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition provided to them by a government entity, such as a police department:

“No one who enters the U.S. illegally should get to enjoy our God-given constitutional rights, including the right to keep and bear arms,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill would close a loophole in current law to ensure illegal aliens cannot possess firearms or ammunition, and I’m glad to support it.”

Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

Background: 

While illegal aliens are generally prohibited from possessing firearms, there is a loophole in current law that allows them to possess a firearm if it’s provided by a governmental entity for official use. However, there have been examples of police departments hiring aliens who overstayed a visa and have a removal order. For example, in early February, ICE arrested a New Orleans Police Department trainee who had been hired and issued a firearm despite being removable. 

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act would close this loophole by clarifying that any person who is in the country illegally may not possess a firearm even if provided by a governmental entity for official use. Notable exceptions include police officers from friendly nations visiting the U.S. for law enforcement purposes and visitors specifically admitted to the U.S. for a hunting trip or a shooting competition.

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act has been endorsed by Gun Owners of America, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Federation for American Immigration Reform, and Immigration Accountability Project.