Terrorists Not Legally Buying Guns In response to media claims that Al-Qaeda operatives are arming themselves over-the-counter at U.S. gun stores, NSSF President Doug Painter wrote the The New York Times and other newspapers that "The Government Accountability Office" report demonstrates that the FBI-run National Criminal Instant Background Check System (NICS) is working in screening potential firearm purchasers. The FBI is alerted when a person on a government watch list purchases a firearm and can take whatever action law enforcement deems appropriate. There is no need for lengthening the 24-hour period for destroying background check records since other records covering the purchase of a firearm are available to law enforcement, if needed. Federal law already prohibits illegal aliens, the indicted, convicted felons, those adjudicated mentally ill, unlawful drug users, and even those with a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction from buying a gun."