Thune said lawmakers should aim instead at preventing future mass killings by improving mental health programs and increasing the records that state governments send the federal backgroundcheck system so the checks can do a better job of keeping guns from people who shouldn't have them.
New York state took steps Tuesday to bolster its background-check system as part of firearm-restrictions legislation that Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law.
You can also ask your local state securities (see NASAA link above to locate your state securities agency) or insurance regulator for a backgroundcheck on any broker, adviser or agent.