Move to toughen weapons checks

A BIPARTISAN group of senators introduced legislation on Wednesday that will strengthen the federal background check system for gun buyers in the aftermath of several recent mass shootings.

The Fix NICS Act targets the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, ensuring the feds keep the data updated and providing incentives for states to feed more information into the system about criminal histories.

The bill, crafted by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), comes a week after a gunman slaughtered 26 churchgoers in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The shooter’s domestic violence conviction should have barred him from buying a rifle. “This deal will strengthen the background check system and save lives,” Murphy said.