U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Budd (R-NC) have introduced the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act, a bill designed to prevent individuals in the United States illegally from possessing firearms or ammunition issued by government entities such as police departments.
“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.”
The legislation is also supported by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).
Currently, federal law generally bars illegal aliens from owning firearms. However, there is an exception that allows them to possess weapons if those are provided by a government agency for official use. The senators pointed out recent incidents where police departments hired individuals who had overstayed their visas and were subject to removal orders. In one case earlier this month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a New Orleans Police Department trainee who was hired and given a firearm despite being removable.
The proposed act seeks to address this issue by clarifying that anyone in the country illegally cannot possess a firearm even if it is for official use provided by a governmental entity. The bill makes exceptions for police officers from allied nations visiting for law enforcement purposes and visitors admitted specifically for hunting trips or shooting competitions.
The measure has received endorsements from Gun Owners of America, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Federation for American Immigration Reform, and Immigration Accountability Project.
Senator Cornyn has won several elections in Texas over the past two decades. In 2020, he defeated MJ Hegar with 53.5% of the vote compared to Hegar’s 43.9%. He also secured victories against David Alameel in 2014 with 61.6%, Ron Kirk in 2002 with 55%, and Rick Noriega in 2008 with 54.8%.
