BACKGROUND CHECKS DEAL Manchin Among Senators Seeking Bipartisan Deal On Gun Sale Background Checks
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 8, 2013 10:33 AM EST
Updated: Feb. 8, 2013 10:49 AM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Washington, D.C.
A small, bipartisan group of senators is quietly trying to reach a compromise on expanding the requirement for background checks to cover nearly all gun purchases. A deal could give political momentum to one of the key elements of President Barack Obama's gun-control plan.
The private talks involve liberal Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who is the No. 3 Senate Democratic leader, and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a National Rifle Association member and one of the Senate's more moderate Democrats.
On the Republican side, participants are Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, another NRA member and one of the more conservative lawmakers in Congress, and moderate Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois.
The NRA says expanding background checks would do little good because criminals largely get their guns illegally.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Pa. coffee run leads to hatchet hitchhiker arrest May 17, 2013 5:53 PM EDT A hitchhiker who became an online sensation but was arrested Thursday in a New Jersey man's beating death has been arraigned in Philadelphia.
Ky. veteran killed in Afghanistan blast May 17, 2013 7:57 PM EDT A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.
Cleveland Marathon events to have extra security May 18, 2013 3:02 AM EDT Thousands of runners will take to the streets for the Cleveland Marathon as officers from local, state and national law enforcement agencies provide stepped-up security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Associated Press
