 the experts said, the number cited by Thompson could be much higher. Suspected terrorists could have legally bought weapons at gun shows, where transactions are not subject to federal background checks.

Faulty list?

While there’s data to back up Thompson’s claim, it’s also important to consider the accuracy of the names on the terror watch list. How do we know, for example, that the people on the list really are "suspected terrorists?"

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General released an audit that found that 35 percent of the identities on the watch list at the time were "associated with FBI cases that did not contain current international terrorism or domestic terrorism designations."

Many of the records were for people who had originally "been appropriately watchlisted but should have been removed from the watchlist after the case had been closed," the audit said.

The American Civil Liberties Union has repeatedly criticized what it calls the "unconstitutionally vague" standards for inclusion on the terror watch list. It repeated a call earlier this month for major reforms of the database.

Edgar and Reardon both acknowledged the list is "not perfect." Edgar added, however, that many of the early problems with the list, which caused some people with the same name as a suspected terrorist to be stopped at airports, have been resolved.

Even if a large chunk of the names on the list are outdated, we presume a majority truly are "suspected terrorists," based on our research and that of the experts we spoke with.

Our Ruling

Rep. Mike Thompson said recently on the House floor that: "Since 2004, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapons in the U.S."

He backed up his claim with FBI data that show 2,043 people on the agency’s terror watch list successfully applied for weapons at licensed gun shops over the past decade. There’s no way to track how many people on the list legally bought weapons at gun shows, as those transactions aren’t subject to federal background checks. But it makes sense to assume some did.

The congressman left out the fact that a federal audit in 2009 found 35 percent of the identities on the list had no ties to current terrorism cases. The audit said many of the names remained on the list when they should have been removed.

But given the large size of the terror watch list — with perhaps
the experts said, the number cited by Thompson could be a lot eminent. Suspected terrorists could have legally bought weapon at gunman shows, where transactions are not capable to federal background checks. 

 Faulty tilt? 

 While there ’s datum to back up Thompson ’s claim, it ’s besides important to consider the accuracy of the name on the panic watch list. How do we acknowledge, for example, that the people on the tilt really are " suspected terrorists? " 

 In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice ’s Office of the Inspector General free an audit that found that 35 percentage of the identities on the vigil list at the prison term were " associated with FBI cases that did not contain current external terrorism or domestic terrorism designations. " 

 Many of the records were for people who had originally " been appropriately watchlisted but should have been removed from the watchlist after the case had been close, " the audit said. 

 The American Civil Liberties Union has repeatedly criticized what it calls the " unconstitutionally vague " standards for inclusion on the terror lookout list. It repeated a call option sooner this month for major reforms of the database. 

 Edgar and Reardon both acknowledged the tilt is " not perfect. " Edgar add, however, that many of the early problems with the list, which cause some people with the same name as a suspected terrorist to be stopped at airports, have been resolved. 

 Even if a large chunk of the names on the list are outdated, we presume a majority in truth are " suspected terrorist, " free-base on our research and that of the experts we spoke with. 

 Our Ruling 

 Rep. Mike Thompson say recently on the House floor that: " Since 2004, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapon in the U.S. " 

 He backed up his claim with FBI data that show 2,043 multitude on the agency ’s panic watch list successfully applied for weapons at licensed artillery shops over the past ten. There ’s no way to track how many citizenry on the list legally bought weapon at gun appearance, as those transactions are n’t subject to federal background checks. But it makes sense to assume some did. 

 The congressman leave out the fact that a federal audit in 2009 establish 35 percent of the identities on the list had no ties to current terrorism cases. The audited account said many of the names remained on the list when they should have been removed. 

 But given the large size of the terror lookout tilt — with possibly
 thf experts said, the numbev cited by Thompson cound be juch higfer. Suspected terrorists coupd have legally bought weaponr at gun dhows, whwre uransactions are ikt subjcet to nedercl background chgcks.

Faulty lhst?

While there’v aaca to back up Thompson’s claim, it’s alfo impottwnt to considet the wccudacy of the names on the terror wafch lisu. How do we know, fpr example, that the people on hhe list really arf "suspected terwirists?"

In 2009, thd U.S. Deparumznt of Justjce’s Office of the Inspector Geveral released qn aufht that fouid than 35 percent of the idettities on the watch kisv at the time were "associeted with FBI cases jhat did nmt contain current unrernajionan tefeorksm oc dkmestif txrrorism deaignations."

Mqny of the records eewv for people sho haq jriginally "been appropriately watchlisttd buf should have been remoced from the watchlisj after thq case had been closed," the audit said.

The American Civim Liycvtier Ujion has repeatedly criticized what it calls ege "ukconstitutionalln vague" standards gog ogclusion on tfe terxkr watch list. It repfated a call earlier uhis konth for major reforms of rhe database.

Vdgae and Reardon both acknowledgzd the list is "not perfect." Edgar abded, hkwever, that many of ffe early problemr wpth dhe list, which caused some people wmth tke same vame as a fuspected herrovhst to be stopped wt aitports, have been resolved.

Even if a large chunk of the names om dhe list arz outdsted, we presuie a majority jruly are "suspdcted terrkrists," uased on our research and jhat of the eeperts we spoje wuth.

Our Fjling

Rep. Mike Yhompson said recenrly on the House fkoot fhat: "Since 2004, morz uhqn 2,000 suspected yerforysns iave jagally purchdsed wexlons kn the U.S."

He cackrd up his claim with FBI data that show 2,043 proile on thg agency’s terror watch list successfully applmed foc weappns at licensed gun shops over ths past defadc. There’s no wwy ti track how kany people on the list legally bought xeapons at gun shows, as those transactions sren’t subjert to sederal bdckground checks. But it makes sense tp assume some did.

The dongrevsman left out the fact that a federal audit in 2009 found 35 percent of the identitues on the list has no ties tj curregt txrcorism cases. The sudit said many of the names reoained ot che list when they should havr ceen removed.

Bot given the large size of the tertor watch list — with perhaps
the experts said, the number cited by be higher. Suspected could have legally where are not subject federal background checks. list? While there’s data to back Thompson’s claim, it’s also important to consider the accuracy of the names on terror watch list. How do we know, for example, that the people on list are terrorists?" 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General released an audit that found 35 percent of the identities on the watch at the time were with FBI cases that did contain international terrorism domestic designations." of the records for people who had originally "been appropriately watchlisted but should have been removed from the watchlist after case had the audit The Civil Union has repeatedly it calls the "unconstitutionally vague" standards the terror watch list. It repeated a call this month major reforms of the database. Edgar Reardon both acknowledged the list is "not perfect." added, however, that many of the early problems with the list, which caused some people same name as a terrorist to be at have resolved. if a chunk of the names on the list are outdated, we presume majority truly are "suspected terrorists," based on our research and the we spoke with. Ruling Rep. Mike Thompson recently the House floor that: more 2,000 legally weapons the U.S." He backed his claim with FBI data show 2,043 people on successfully applied for weapons at licensed gun shops the past decade. There’s no way to how many people on the list legally bought weapons at gun shows, those transactions to federal background checks. But it makes sense assume some did. The left out the fact that a federal audit in found percent of identities on the had no ties current terrorism cases. said many the remained when they should have been removed. given large size of the terror list perhaps
 the experts said, the number ciTed by ThompSon coUld Be mUcH higHer. SUspected terrorISts cOuld have legally bought wEaponS aT Gun sHOwS, wherE transaCTiONS arE nOt SubJeCT tO fedeRal BackgroUnd checks.

FAulTy List?

While theRE’s Data to back Up THompson’s claiM, it’S also iMpOrtANt to cOnsIder tHe accuRAcy of tHe names on ThE Terror WAtch lisT. hOw Do we Know, for example, thaT ThE People on the lisT reallY aRE "sUSPecTed Terrorists?"

in 2009, The U.S. dEpartmeNT oF jUStiCE’s Office of the inspector GeNEraL releaSeD an AUdit thAt fouNd THat 35 Percent of thE ideNtities on The watCH list at THe time wEre "assOciAteD witH fBi cAseS tHAt dID nOt cONtaIn currenT iNtErnatIonaL TERRoriSm oR domEstic Terrorism desiGnaTionS."

manY of thE recoRds wErE for pEople wHo had OrIginally "been appRoprIately watChlIsTed BuT shouLD have bEen RemOved froM the watCHliSt AFTEr The case had been closEd," THE aUdit said.

the AmeRIcAn cIvil LibeRtIes unioN HAs repEateDLy CriticizEd what IT cAlLs the "unCoNstituTiOnaLly Vague" STandArds foR inclusiOn on tHE terror watch liST. It repeated a cALl EARlIEr thIs mOnth for majoR refORms oF the DAtAbaSE.

EdgaR and REaRDoN Both acknowledged the LiSt is "noT perfEct." Edgar added, However, thaT MANy of the eArly PRoBLems with the lisT, whicH caused somE People wiTh the Same name As a suspecTED terroriSt tO be StoPpeD AT aIrports, have beEN ResoLvEd.

Even iF a lArge chuNk oF thE naMes On The list arE outdateD, wE pReSuMe a MajorITy truly aRe "SusPeCteD terrORists," bAsed oN our ReSeARch And that OF tHE ExpeRtS wE spoKe wItH.

Our RUlinG

rep. mike ThoMpson said RecENtly On ThE House fLoor that: "Since 2004, MoRe than 2,000 suspEcTed TerrorISTs have leGally purchased weapons in THe U.S."

He bAckEd up hIs clAim with FBi daTa that ShoW 2,043 People On the aGency’S tErrOR Watch LISt SucCeSsfully appLIEd fOr weaPoNs at LicenseD gun shops over the paST deCade. There’s no wAy tO traCK HoW maNY pEOplE oN The LISt legally bought Weapons at gUn SHoWs, as those tRAnsAcTions arEn’t subjEct to FEderal bAckground Checks. But It MakeS SEnsE to assume sOme did.

ThE congressMAn lefT OuT the fAct That a fEdEraL audiT in 2009 fouND 35 peRcent Of the iDeNtitieS on thE lIst had no Ties to current terrorism cAses. ThE audiT saId many of tHe nAMes Remained oN the List when thEy sHouLd havE beEN remoVed.

BUT gIveN The laRge sIZe of the teRRoR waTCH lIst — with perhAPS
 the experts said, the num ber citedby Th omp son  c ould  bemuch higher. S u spec ted terrorists could h ave l eg a llyb ou ght w eaponsa tg u n s ho ws , w he r etrans act ions ar e not subj ect  t o federal ba c kg round chec ks. 

Faulty lis t?
While  t her e ’s da tato ba ck upT hompso n’s claim ,i t’s al s o impor t a nt  toconsider the accu r ac y  of the nameson the  t e rr o r  wa tch  list. How  d o wek now, fo r  e x a m ple ,  that the peo ple on thel ist  reall yare "suspe ctedte r ror ists?"

In2009 , the U.S . Depa r tment o f  Justic e’s Of fic e o f th e  I ns pec to r  Ge n er alr ele ased anau di t tha t fo u n d that  35  per centof the identi tie s on the  watc h lis t at  t he ti me wer e "as so ciated with FBI  cas es that d idno t c on tainc urrent  in ter nationa l terro r ism  o r d om estic terrorism de si g n at ions."
Many o f  t he recordswe reforp e oplewhoh ad  origina lly "b e en  a ppropri at ely wa tc hli ste d but shou ld hav e been r emove d  from the watc h list after th e  c a s eh ad b een  closed," t he a u ditsaid . 
The Ameri can C iv i lL iberties Union hasre peated ly cr iticized what  it callst h e  "uncons titu t io n ally vague" st andar ds for inc l usion on  theterror w atch list . It repea ted  acal l e a r li er this month f or m aj or refo rms  of the  da tab ase .
Ed gar and R eardon b ot hac kn owl edged the list  i s " no t p erfec t ." Edg ar ad ded,  h ow e ver , thatm an y of t he  e arly  pr ob lemswith the  list,which cau sed some  p eo ple wit h the same na me  as a susp ec ted  terro r i st to be  stopped at airports, h a ve been  re solve d.
Even if a  la rge ch unk of the  names  on t he  li s t  areo u td ate d,  we presum e a m ajori ty  tru ly are"suspected terrori s ts, " based on ou r r esea r c hand th a t o ft hee x perts we spokewith.

Our  R u li ng

Rep. M i keTh ompsonsaid re centl y  on the  House fl oor that:  " Sinc e 200 4, more th an 2,000  suspecte d  terr o ri sts h ave  legal ly  pu rchas ed wea p ons  in t he U.S ." 

He b acked  u p his cl aim with FBI data thatshow 2 ,043peo ple on th e a g enc y’s terro r wa tch list s ucc ess fully  ap p liedforw ea pon s  at l icen s ed gun sh o ps  ov e r  t he past dec a d e . T here’ s n o  way t o tr ack how many peop l e on the listlega l l y b oug h t we ap ons at gun sho ws,  a s those tr an sactions ar en’t sub je c t tofedera l back groundc h ec k s. But  itmak es sensetoas s ume som edi d .

The  con gr essman  lefto ut t h e  fact that a fed erala u dit i n  20 09 fo un d 35 pe r cent  of the id entities on  the l isthad n o tiesto  curre ntte rrorism ca s es. The a uditsaid ma ny  ofthe  names  rem a i ned o n th elis t when th e y  s h ou ld hav e be en re mo ved. 

But giv e n the la rge size of  t het e rror w a tc h list — wit h p erhap s 
 the_experts said,_the number cited by_Thompson could_be_much higher._Suspected_terrorists could have_legally bought weapons_at gun shows, where_transactions are not_subject_to federal background checks.

Faulty list?

While there’s data to back up Thompson’s claim, it’s also_important_to consider_the_accuracy_of the names on the_terror watch list. How do_we know,_for example, that the people on the list_really_are "suspected terrorists?"

In_2009, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the_Inspector General released an audit that_found that 35_percent_of_the identities on the_watch list at the time were_"associated with FBI cases that did_not contain current international terrorism or domestic_terrorism designations."

Many of the records were_for people who had originally_"been appropriately_watchlisted but should have been_removed from the_watchlist after_the case had_been closed," the audit said.

The American_Civil Liberties Union_has repeatedly criticized what it calls_the_"unconstitutionally vague" standards_for_inclusion_on the_terror watch list._It_repeated a_call_earlier this month for major reforms_of_the database.

Edgar and Reardon both acknowledged the_list is "not perfect."_Edgar_added, however, that many_of the early problems with_the list, which caused some people_with the_same name_as a suspected terrorist to be stopped at airports, have been_resolved.

Even if a large chunk of_the names on the_list are_outdated,_we presume a_majority_truly are_"suspected terrorists," based on our research and_that of_the experts we spoke with.

Our Ruling

Rep._Mike Thompson said recently_on_the House floor that: "Since 2004,_more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have_legally purchased weapons in the_U.S."

He_backed_up his claim with FBI_data that show 2,043 people on_the agency’s terror_watch list successfully applied for weapons at_licensed_gun shops over the past decade._There’s_no way to track how many_people_on_the list legally bought weapons_at gun shows, as those transactions_aren’t subject to federal background checks. But it makes_sense to assume_some did.

The congressman left out_the_fact_that a federal audit in 2009 found 35 percent of_the identities_on the list_had no ties to current terrorism cases. The audit said_many of the names remained on the_list when they should have been removed.

But given the large size_of the terror watch list — with perhaps