The House passed a bill that proposes requiring federal criminal background checks on all firearms sales by a vote of 240-190. Eight Republicans voted with most Democrats in favor of the bill. Two Democrats—Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Collin Peterson (Minn.)—voted with Republicans against the bill.

 

The bill proposes requiring background checks for commercial and private firearms sales. Federal law does not currently require background checks for private sales. The bill would not require background checks for transfers between family members or for temporary use of a gun.

 

The bill also includes language backed by 26 Democrats and members of the Republican caucus that would require sellers to report the names of individuals residing in the country without legal permission to the U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Agency if they attempt to buy a gun.

 

The requirement was added during a motion to recommit. It was the second procedural vote where Republicans were able to gain votes from Democrats to alter legislation. An earlier motion that was adopted condemned anti-Semitism and was attached to a House resolution barring U.S. involvement in the Yemeni civil war. According to Politico, it is rare for the minority party to win a procedural vote. Republicans did not lose a procedural vote from 2011 to 2019 when they were in charge of the House.

 

The bill now heads to the Senate. President Donald Trump said that he would veto the bill if it is sent to him.