House advances bill to expand background checks for gun purchases

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill last week that would expand federal background checks for gun purchases and transfers.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 was approved by a vote of 240-190 with only 8 Republicans supporting it. It now moves to the Senate for action.

The bill was first introduced more than six years ago after 20 first graders and six educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Until now it failed to win enough support in the Senate and was not ever put forth for a vote in the House.

“This day has been a long time coming,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), said.

The bill, however, is not expected to be approved by the Republican-led Senate.

“The families of Sandy Hook were in my heart and on my mind today as I watched the House take a historic step toward making America safer,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said. “It is a clear sign that momentum is on the side of common sense gun violence reform and the gun lobby’s grip on Congress is weakening.”

Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) pointed out that universal background checks have the support of 97 percent of Americans. While it would keep more guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, more is needed said Himes.

“We need additional legislation to make guns safer, keep weapons that are designed only to kill off the street, and provide better mental health support for Americans,” Himes said.

Part of the bill would require the FBI to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, when an undocumented alien attempts to purchase a gun. There are several exceptions in the background check bill, including one for a family member giving a firearm as a gift, or lending a gun to someone to practice at a gun range or who is in imminent danger. This week, the House will vote on another gun bill, this one to extend the FBI’s current three-day deadline to conduct a background check to as many as 20 business days.