S 2135 : Fix NICS: Enforce current law regarding the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Position: Support Status: Senate Committee on Judiciary

Language identical to this bill was added to the 2018 Omnibus bill which was passed on March 22, 2018. It is now law.

This bipartisan gun violence prevention bill is intended to improve the efficacy of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Currently, NICS is missing records that would prevent dangerous individuals from accessing firearms. Polls show the vast majority of Americans support legislation to improve NICS.

Update

March 29, 2018

Language identical to this bill was added to the 2018 Omnibus bill which was passed on March 22, 2018. It is now law. Introduced 11/15/2017 by Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Fix NICS language is identical to HR 4434 and S 2135.

The omnibus includes a new law (the Fix NICS Act) that would increase enforcement of the federal law requiring state law enforcement agencies to report criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and give states more financial incentives to report records. It’s just about the most modest thing that Congress could do on guns, but it’s still sparked some conservative pushback; the Freedom Caucus wanted to pair it with a law requiring states to recognize each other’s concealed carry permits. Vox

While the bill does require federal agencies to add names to NICS, it’s a far cry from real reform like universal background checks and higher standards for gun ownership.