WH Spox: ‘Open and Shut Case’ GOP to Blame for ISIS Being Allowed to Buy Assault Weapons

Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Obama White House spokesman Josh Earnest attack Senate Republicans for not supporting any of the four measures that would have limited gun sales to those suspected of having ties to terrorism.

Earnest called it an “open and shut case” that the GOP is to blame for ISIS being allowed to buy assault weapons.

Partial transcript as follows:

THOMAS ROBERTS, MSNBC HOST: Josh, this Thomas Roberts. I just want to ask you about what Sen. Murphy, of Connecticut, had to say about the Republicans and the fact that we’ve got to make this clear — the constant case. The Republicans have decided to sell weapons to ISIS. Is that how President Obama feels, in light of the fact that we saw these measures fail?

EARNEST: Well, Thomas, I think what is clear is that there are individuals in the United States right now that are — law enforcement officials are concerned could have ties to terrorism. Could be — are susceptible to being radicalized by the online recruitment efforts of ISIL. And right now there is not a law on the books that prevents those individuals from walking into a gun store and buying a gun.

ROBERTS: So, does the president specifically blame Republicans for failure in acting and, in doing so, that allows ISIS to buy assault weapons.

EARNEST: Look, it’s a pretty open and shut case. It is clear that Republicans have refused to act on a common sense measure that would prevent individuals with suspected ties to terrorism from being able to buy guns. Right now, those individuals who we have concluded are too dangerous to board an airplane can walk into a gun store and buy a gun. That doesn’t make any sense, and why Republicans allow that to happen is just beyond me. It makes no sense unless —

SCARBOROUGH: Josh Earnest —

EARNEST: — you factor in the fear that they have of the NRA.

SCARBOROUGH: Josh Earnest, thank you so much. We greatly appreciate you being with us. Thomas, thank you, as well. Greatly appreciate you being here.

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