Sen. Panel Approves Background Checks

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill calling for universal required background checks—a small but significant step toward President Obama’s goal of dramatically reducing gun violence in the U.S. The bill would extend background checks—currently required only for sales by licensed dealers—to transactions between private individuals. The panel voted 10–8 for the measure, with all eight Republicans opposing it. New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, who sponsored the bill, says he hopes he’ll be able to meet Republicans in the middle to improve the chances of getting the bill passed in the full Senate before going to the GOP-controlled House.