The Background Check Sellout is Almost Complete

A bipartisan coalition of senators is working on a proposal to strengthen and expand background checks for potential gun purchasers in an attempt to break the partisan gridlock holding up regulations on gun ownership.

Members of the group, which includes Republicans Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Mark Kirk of Illinois and Democrats Charles Schumer of New York and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, declined to discuss specifics of the talks or of a potential bill.

Coburn spelled out what he wants in any bill. He said laws need to be updated to ensure guns stay out of the hands of "people that are a danger to themselves and other people."

"I believe the mentally ill should never be able to get a gun. I believe criminals should never be able to get a gun," he said.