Legislation improving the federal background check system used when citizens attempt to purchase a firearm has garnered enough co-sponsors to pass in the U.S. Senate.
Staff members for Senator John Cornyn told the Texas Tribune the legislation, known as the Fix NICS act, now has 62 co-sponsors in the Senate, effectively guaranteeing its passage. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell however has not yet indicated whether the legislation will gain a floor vote given demands by some House republicans.
Trump expressed support for the legislation just days after a February school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
House Republican leadership has said previously that any legislation bolstering the federal background check system must be accompanied by a rider including conceal carry reciprocity nationwide. The reciprocity measure has been long sought by House republicans.
President Donald Trump, however, has struck back against the concealed carry rider telling House majority whip of potential gun legislation “you’ll never get this passed. If you add concealed carry to this, you’ll never get it passed. Let it be a separate thing,” adding “you’ll never get it passed. So we want to get something done.”