Lawmakers launch new effort at tightening background checks on gun sales Search By Jalen Wade WASHINGTON (March 4, 2021)—Amidst a surge in firearms sales, lawmakers in the Senate and House have introduced legislation expanding background checks for all gun purchases. "Background checks are simple, easy, and they save lives. That's why more than 90 percent of Americans support our legislation to make sure no guns are sold in this country without a background check," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, and the lead sponsor of the background check measure in the Senate, said in a statement Tuesday. His bill has 45 Democratic co-sponsors, including Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.