Senators Announce New Legislation on Background Checks; Proposes Checks for Gun Shows and Online Purchases

Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania and Senator Joe Manchin, D-West Virgina, revealed a new, bipartisan deal Wednesday that widens the need for background checks, according to Politico.com. The deal proposes background checks for commercial gun purchases, including purchases made online and at gun shows.

The deal comes in the wake of the tragic shooting that claimed the lives 26 people located in Sandy Hook Elementary School. The senators said the shooting at the school, located in Newtown, Connecticut, inspired new discussions on stronger gun control measures.

Toomey has a “A” rating with the National Rifle Association. He doesn't share the opinion of many of his fellow NRA members.

“I have to tell you candidly that I don’t consider criminal background checks to be gun control,” Toomey said. “I think it’s just common sense.”

While the background checks have his full support, he is not sure whether fellow Republicans will share in his opinion. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois, has also agreed to back the measure.

In addition to the background checks the new bill also calls for the creation of a “commission on mass violence.” The commission will research reasons for the shooting massacres that have occurred across the United States in recent history.

The NRA released a statement questioning the need for expanded background checks.

“Expanding background checks at gun shows will not prevent the next shooting, will not solve violent crime and will not keep our kids safe in schools,” said the statement, “While the overwhelming rejection of President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg’s ‘universal’ background check agenda is a positive development, we have a broken mental health system that is not going to be fixed with more background checks at gun shows. The sad truth is that no background check would have prevented the tragedy in Newtown, Aurora or Tucson.”

Even there is still doubt cast on the possibility of additional gun laws, this new deal is the first step to strong U.S. gun control.