Is it fair to deny guns to people on the no-fly list?

Should guns be denied to people on the no-fly list as a way to prevent terrorist attacks?

Most Republicans adamantly oppose that idea, saying the list is based on unreliable information, and denying these people a firearm would be unfair. But if that’s true then why are we using this unreliable information to deny these people a seat on a plane?

This same issue came up recently in a lawsuit filed by a group of Muslims who found themselves turned away at the gate. They were told they couldn’t get on the plane because they were on the no-fly list, according to attorney Shayana Kadidal.

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“Suddenly, right after, they were approached by the FBI and told they could get off the list if they agreed to serve as informers on their Muslim community,” Kadidal said.

Kadidal works for the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York, and says the list is being used to pressure innocent Muslims into becoming informants.

“The pitch that was given to them by the FBI was basically to spy on their communities,” Kadidal said. “In one case to go on Internet forums and act extremist.”

So even though Mr. Kadidal is in favor of gun control, he agrees with the Republican side. The list is unfair. So unfair, he’d like it scrapped entirely.

“The reality is the Republicans have a point when they say this list arbitrary,” he said. “It’s just funny that they haven’t chosen to pursue that thought to its logical conclusion in the no-fly context. It’s only when it seems to be ready to be applied to gun purchases when they worry.”

His clients, by the way, didn’t get any damages, but their names did mysteriously disappear from the list.