They voted down extending background checks to people who buy from unlicensed dealers, at gun shows and online.
This would extend background checks to purchases made at gun shows and on the internet.
Oregon already requires background checks at gun shows but not for other private sales.
Private transactions and sales at gun shows are not currently subject to background checks.
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Heretically for a Republican, he favours background checks for those who buy guns at gun shows.
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Mr. Lieberman said the independent sales of firearms at gun shows also should require background checks.
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He challenged the 40% figure for gun sales without background checks -- particularly at gun shows.
Currently, federal law exempts so-called private transactions, which can include online sales and sales at gun shows.
Congress is considering expanding background checks to include private sales of guns at gun shows or other places.
Mr. Feldman said he differed from many in the room by backing expanded background checks at gun shows.
Corey grew up in Oklahoma, where her dad sold firearms at gun shows.
Keene has also told CNN that he does not support instituting background checks for purchases at gun shows.
His company also organizes "civilian and corporate shoots" at gun ranges, he said.
Lawmakers debated firearms proposals after the Columbine High School shooting, and began requiring background checks for buyers at gun shows.
Efforts at compromise have been meager, largely because of disagreement about requiring background checks for all purchases at gun shows.
Mr. Obama would require background checks for private sales between individuals, including those at gun shows and via the Internet.
In total, 16 states and the District of Columbia require background checks on handguns sold at gun shows, Nichols said.
She voted for a 10-year extension of the assault weapons ban and voted for requiring extensive background checks at gun shows.
He also proposes limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, expanding background checks to all gun transactions, including sales at gun shows.
Rather, those weapons are bought at gun shows, on street corners, over the Internet or from friends or neighbors, Nichols said.
Current law already requires background checks by federally licensed dealers selling at gun shows, but not on private sales at those shows.
Mexican officials point out that many of those weapons are bought at gun shops just over the border in the United States.
The senators said the final holdup was a disagreement over the length of the waiting period for background checks at gun shows.
Moved by Giffords advocacy, the Tucson City Council recently approved a measure requiring universal background checks at gun shows held on city property.
Currently, federal law requires background checks on gun sales by federally licensed firearms dealers, who are often among the vendors at gun shows.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said last week that he favors background checks at gun shows, but is opposed to raising the purchasing age.
And I'd also like to know, what do you make of these long lines we're seeing at gun shows and gun stores all around the country?
House and Senate Republicans were insisting upon 24 hours, while Democrats want a 72-hour waiting period, the same length of time imposed on sales at gun shops.
According to the US justice department, up to 40% of gun purchases take place without a background check - those from private sellers and some at gun shows.
And things like forced waiting periods for gun purchases, requiring background checks for firearms buyers at gun shows and a ban on assault weapons would certainly save some lives.
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