US House OKs bill to expand gun-sale background checks

WASHINGTON— The Democratic-controlled House on Wednesday approved a measure requiring federal background checks for all firearms sales and transfers, the first major gun control legislation considered by Congress in nearly 25 years. Democrats called the 240-190 vote a major step to end the gun lobby's grip on Washington and begin to address an epidemic of gun violence, including 17 people who were killed at a Florida high school last year. The bill is the first of two that Democrats are bringing to

the House floor this week as part of an effort to tighten gun laws following eight years of Republican control. The other bill would extend the review period for background checks from three to 10 days. Rep. Kendra Horn, D-Oklahoma City, was the only one of the five Oklahomans in the House to vote for the bill. Before final passage, the House approved an amendment by Horn to clarify an instance of when transfers of firearms could be permissible without a background check. Horn said the bill already allowed for “a temporary weapon transfer if the transferee is at imminent risk of death or great bodily harm.” She said, “our amendment is meant to make it crystal clear and explicit that this exception applies when the transferees are protecting themselves from an abuser.” The amendment “carves out protections for people who face risk of domestic violence, dating partner violence, sexual assault, stalking and domestic abuse,” she said. Horn, a freshman who replaced Rep. Steve Russell, a Republican who owns a small gun-making shop, said she was proud to support the bill. “We must close loopholes that give buyers and sellers a way around background checks,” she said. “There is no reason vendors at gun shows or online should be exempt from the safety measures other merchants must obey.” Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said Democrats did not allow Republicans to offer amendments clearing up confusing language about when people could loan or give their guns to relatives. The Senate isn't even likely to consider the bill, Cole said.