In a bipartisan effort to craft gun control reforms in the wake of numerous mass shooting events across the country, eight Senators have introduced new gun legislation that enhances state compliance and accuracy of existing background check systems in place for firearm purchases.
Sens. John Cornyn R-Texas, Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, along with Senators Orrin Hatch R-Utuah, Dianne Feinstein, D-California, Dean Heller, R-Nevada, and Jeanne Shaheen D-New Hampshire, introduced the "Fix NICS Act" on Thursday to ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
"For years agencies and states haven't complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence," Sen. Cornyn said.
He added, "Just one record that's not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Springs, Texas. This bill aims to help fix what's become a nationwide, systemic problem so we can better prevent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms."
The U.S. Air Force had failed to submit the First Baptist Church shooter's criminal history, that is, his bad conduct discharge, to the FBI, as required by Pentagon rules. That history should have barred him from purchasing guns. The Air Force said it has launched a review of how the service handled Kelley's criminal records.
Sens. John Cornyn R-Texas, Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, along with Senators Orrin Hatch R-Utuah, Dianne Feinstein, D-California, Dean Heller, R-Nevada, and Jeanne Shaheen D-New Hampshire, introduced the "Fix NICS Act" on Thursday to ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
"For years agencies and states haven't complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence," Sen. Cornyn said.
He added, "Just one record that's not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Springs, Texas. This bill aims to help fix what's become a nationwide, systemic problem so we can better prevent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms."
The U.S. Air Force had failed to submit the First Baptist Church shooter's criminal history, that is, his bad conduct discharge, to the FBI, as required by Pentagon rules. That history should have barred him from purchasing guns. The Air Force said it has launched a review of how the service handled Kelley's criminal records.
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