Senators introduce bipartisan gun background check bill

A bipartisan group of senators is trying to strengthen reporting to the national background check system in the wake of a mass shooting in Texas earlier this month.

Sens. John CornynJohn CornynCollins, Murkowski to play pivotal role in Supreme Court abortion battle Senate faces bitter fight over Trump’s next pick Liberal Senate Democrat shields Trump from trade blowback MORE (R-Texas), Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDem senator mocks Trump over report North Korea increased its nuclear efforts: 'This can't be true!' Senate Dems ask FEMA to extend Puerto Rico shelters Supreme Court vacancy throws Senate battle into chaos MORE (D-Conn.), Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottGOP candidate vows to continue campaign in first public comments since car crash Tim Scott: Discussing race with Trump was 'painful' but made me 'hopeful' Black senators introduce anti-lynching bill MORE (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced legislation on Thursday that would require states and agencies to produce plans for sending records to the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) that would show if an individual is prohibited from buying a gun and verifying that the information is accurate. 

The measure would also try to incentivize agencies and states to provide information by blocking bonus pay for political appointees in agencies that fail to upload records to the background check system and rewarding states that follow their implementation plans.

“For years agencies and states haven’t complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence. ... This bill aims to help fix what’s become a nationwide, systemic problem so we can better prevent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms," Cornyn said in a statement.

Murphy — who noted on Wednesday that lawmakers were close to an agreement — added that "this deal will strengthen the background check system and save lives. Our bill marks an important milestone that shows real compromise can be made on the issue of guns."

Sens. Orrin HatchOrrin Grant HatchWhat to know about Trump's Supreme Court pick so far The Supreme Court nomination process and consultation Who really wants to abolish ICE? Surely not the American people MORE (R-Utah), Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinCardiology, airplanes, HD-TV and the filibuster Amy Coney Barrett emerges as favorite on right, target for left Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys MORE (D-Calif.), Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerSenate GOP PAC books millions in red state ad spending Left mounts heavy pressure campaign on swing senators over Supreme Court Senate passes mammoth farm bill MORE (R-Nev.) and Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenFemale lawmakers, candidates must be the voice for women worldwide GOP lawmakers plan official visit to Russia later this week Dem senator: If Nielsen doesn't reunite families, 'she should resign' MORE (D-N.H.) are also sponsoring the legislation.

The bill comes just 11 days after a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. 

Devin Kelley, the identified gunman, received a “bad conduct” discharge from the Air Force in 2014 after being court-martialed on a domestic violence charge.

Kelley’s court-martial conviction should have been reported to the FBI’s database. Had it been, it may have made it more difficult for him to purchase a firearm legally.

But Air Force officials on Monday said the Holloman Air Force Base Office of Special Investigation did not enter Kelley’s information into the system. 

The new legislation would also create a "domestic abuse and violence prevention initiative" aimed at making sure states have the ability and incentive to share information with the NICS that would show a felon or someone convicted of domestic violence cannot purchase a gun.

Cornyn added that "just one record that’s not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Springs, Texas."  

Senators have introduced multiple pieces of gun legislation after the shooting in Texas, as well as an October mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas, where nearly 60 people were killed and more than 500 were injured.

Sens. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeAn end game on Supreme Court nominations Flake: ‘There is concern across Europe’ about what Trump might promise Putin Sunday shows preview: Washington braces for Trump's Supreme Court pick MORE (R-Ariz.) and Martin HeinrichMartin Trevor HeinrichCNN congressional correspondent talks about her early love of trolls and family Overnight Energy: DNC to reject fossil fuel donations | Regulators see no security risk in coal plant closures | Senate committee rejects Trump EPA, Interior budgets Energy commission sees no national security risk from coal plant closures MORE (D-N.M.) introduced legislation earlier this month to close the "domestic violence loophole" by requiring that the military report domestic violence convictions to the national background check system.