The Democratic-led House on Wednesday passed an expansion of background checks for nearly all gun sales. The measure extends background checks to guns purchased outside of licensed gun dealers.
The vote was 240 to 190, as eight Republicans broke ranks with GOP leaders to vote for the bill, which drew stern opposition from the National Rifle Association and other strong supporters of gun rights in the Congress, while two Democrats opposed the plan.
Republicans in the Senate indicated this week they were unlikely to bring the measure up for a vote.
Under current law, if you buy a gun from a federally licensed firearms dealer a background check is done. But if you buy a gun online or at a gun show or from a private dealer there is no background check requirement. The bill would change that. The bill would also have some exemptions and allow people to transfers guns as gifts or for hunting, target practice and self defense without a background check.
