Brown Has Introduced Legislation that Would Provide Grants to State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies for Antiterrorism Programs and Training for Active Shooter Incident Response
WALBRIDGE, OH – At the Center for Emergency Preparedness at Owens Community College, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – outlined legislation he introduced that would help keep Americans safe from ISIS and other terrorist threats. Brown also renewed his call for closing the terrorist gun loophole to stop individuals who are known terrorists from purchasing a firearm.
“We need to ensure that those on the frontlines protecting us have the tools they need to respond to threats and keep Americans safe and secure,” Sen. Brown said. “That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation to keep Americans safe from ISIS and other potential threats. We must use every available resource to combat the threat posed by extremists with access to deadly weapons.”
During a news conference on Friday, Brown was joined by George Kral, Toledo Chief of Police, and Mark King, chair of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services at Owens Community College, who discussed how northwest Ohio first responders could use resources for antiterrorism training programs to properly respond to an active shooter attack. Brown’s bill would provide grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for antiterrorism programs and training for active shooter incidents, while bolstering community partnerships to combat homegrown extremism or the recruitment or radicalization of those living in the U.S.
From his leadership post on the Senate Banking Committee, Brown and other Democratic leaders introduced the Defeat ISIS and Protect and Secure the United States Act, which includes a provision that would restrict ISIS’ financing by authorizing tough new sanctions on foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate financial transactions with ISIS.
Brown’s bill would combat ISIS abroad by:
- Restricting ISIS’ access to money by authorizing tough new sanctions on foreign financial institutions if they knowingly facilitate financial transactions with ISIS.
- Helping refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria stay in the region closer to their own homes by creating a new stabilization fund for Jordan and Lebanon.
- Improving intelligence sharing with American allies and partners.
- Developing a comprehensive strategy to counter ISIS propaganda and counter violent-extremism.
- Creating a new ISIS “czar” who would direct the United States’ efforts to defeat ISIS.
Brown’s bill would help keep America safe by:
- Requiring the universal use of machine-readable, electronic passports in order to participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
- Stopping individuals who are known or suspected terrorists—including those on the “No Fly” list—from purchasing a gun by closing the terrorist gun loophole.
- Improving screening technology and Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) training – including tougher vetting and oversight of aviation workers – to strengthen aviation security.
- Developing a strategy for locking down the highest risk radiological material – or “dirty bomb” materials – in our hospitals and industrial sites.
- Creating a new office dedicated to stopping homegrown extremism at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- Improving our ability to intercept terrorist communications.
- Authorizing new grants to help state and local law enforcement develop and implement antiterrorism training programs to properly respond to an active shooter attack.
