House to consider expanding background checks for gun purchases

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is considering arguments on House Bill 650, which would expand background check regulations on those seeking to purchase guns in the state.

Under the bill, all firearm sales or transfers would have to go through a licensed firearms dealer, who would be required to review buyers against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Currently, people with felony records, fugitives, and the mentally ill (as deemed by a judge) are not allowed to own firearms. Sales at gun shows and through personal ads do not require background checks.

A similar bill was killed in the House last year.