Colorado's Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to sign legislation expanding background checks for private and online gun purchases in the state after it passed the state House Friday.
DENVER — Colorado lawmakers have passed expanded background checks for private and online firearm purchases and sent the bill to the governor's desk for his expected approval. The bill was passed Friday in the Democratic-controlled House by a 36-27 vote, with only one Democrat opposing. The bill came in response to the mass shootings last year at a suburban Denver movie theater and Connecticut elementary school. Democrats in the Senate approved the bill earlier. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper called for the checks during this State of the State address in January. He's expected to sign the bill within two weeks. Republicans say the background-check requirement can't be enforced without universal gun registration, which they oppose. Democrats insist that growing online gun sales and sales outside stores and gun shows have created a big loophole in gun transfers without background checks.
