Editorial Board

There's No Constitutional Right to Convenient Guns

Suspects on terrorist watchlists can stand to wait.

June 17, 2016 at 1:51 PM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

This is not a cupcake.
Photographer: Thomas Cooper/Getty Images

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Relenting in the face of a 14-hour filibuster led by Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to a vote next week on closing the so-called terror loophole. Better late than never.

The loophole is large, and dangerous. It enables suspects on national security watchlists to purchase high-powered firearms, including the kind of semi-automatic rifle used by the killer in last weekend’s mass shooting in Orlando.