As the Senate considers legislation restricting gun purchases by people on terror watch lists, it’s important to understand what list they’re talking about. Here are definitions of key ones:

Consolidated terrorist watchlist

• Covers about 1.1 million people
• Includes individuals suspected by the federal government of being involved in terrorist activities or associated with people who are
• Created in 2003

No-Fly and Selectee lists

• Covers about 109,000 people, including 2,500 Americans.
• The no-fly list includes individuals prohibited from flying in or out of the United States because they are considered by the federal government of being a direct threat to U.S. civil aircraft
• The selectee list includes individuals who will receive additional screening before flying because of concerns that they are a threat to U.S. civil aircraft
• Created in 1990

Sources: Government Accountability Office, FBI, Congressional Research Service

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