Reps. Thompson, Fitzpatrick to Reintroduce ‘Bipartisan Background Checks’ for Guns Bill

Legislation would require National Instant Criminal Background Check System check on every firearm transfer, including private transactions

A researcher simulates a check done for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) at the FBI’s criminal justice center in Bridgeport, W. Va., on Nov. 18, 2014. Matt Stroud/AP Photo

Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) announced on Feb. 1 that they would reintroduce the Bipartisan Background Checks bill. The bill is supported by more than 80 percent of voters, and Congress should act on it as soon as possible, Fitzpatrick said.

“The devastating trend of mass shootings by dangerous, unstable individuals who are already ineligible from possessing a gun demands cooperation from both sides of the aisle. This legislation meets that demand,” Fitzpatrick said during a press conference.