Senators unite over gun database legislation

REPUBLICAN and Democratic senators have joined forces on legislation to strengthen the FBI database of prohibited gun buyers.

The move comes after the Air Force failed to report the criminal history of a gunman who killed more than two dozen people at a Texas church.

Congress has taken no steps on guns in the weeks after deadly shootings in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas.

The bill, which has the backing of the Senate’s number two Republican, John Cornyn of Texas, would ensure that federal agencies, such as the Defence Department, and states accurately report rele- vant criminal information to the FBI.

The bill would penalise federal agencies that fail to properly report required records and reward states that comply by providing them with federal grant preferences.

Mr Cornyn said agencies and state governments have for years failed to forward legally-required records without consequences.

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 crimi- nals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms.”

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, of Connecticut, a fierce proponent of gun restrictions, said much more needs to be done on the issue of gun violence, but he believes the bill will help ensure thousands of dangerous people are prevented from buying guns.”