Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today introduced the Background Check Expansion Act, legislation led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to expand federal background checks to the sale or transfer of all firearms, with certain reasonable exceptions such as transfers between family members and temporary transfers at shooting ranges or for sport.
“In Colorado, after suffering two of the worst mass shootings in our nation’s history, we closed the gun show and online loopholes and implemented reasonable background checks on all gun sales,” Bennet said. “It’s past time for Congress to follow our lead and do more to reduce gun violence in our communities.”
While Colorado law requires background checks on all gun sales, current federal law requires only federally-licensed dealers to conduct a background check. The Background Check Expansion Act would require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms, similar to Colorado law. This requirement extends to all unlicensed sellers, whether they do business online, at gun shows, or out of their home. Exceptions include gifts or inheritances between family members, transfers between law enforcement officers, temporary loans at shooting ranges or for hunting and sporting events, or temporary transfers for immediate self-defense.
Even though 90% of Americans support comprehensive background checks, research indicates that as many as a quarter of all gun sales in the United States may occur without a background check.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.