WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) today introduced important new legislation, co-sponsored by 21 of his colleagues, to save lives and keep firearms out of dangerous hands by expanding background checks to all gun sales.

"This is an important next step toward a comprehensive background check system," said Brady Campaign Co-President Kris Brown. "Jim and Sarah Brady fought hard to pass the original Brady background check law so that all of us could live in a safer America. It is tragic that over the years, new venues for gun sales over the internet and at gun shows have threatened to erode some of the advances the Brady law provides. S.2009 will correct that by expanding Brady background checks to all gun sales."

At least one in five guns today is sold without a background check. Senator Murphy's bill seeks to ensure that the sale or transfer of firearms between two individuals in venues including gun shows and the internet will be subject to a background check.

"This is old-fashioned common sense. People who can't pass a background check shouldn't be able to buy a gun and endanger your loved ones," said Sen. Murphy. "More than 90 percent of Americans support stronger background checks, and it's time for Congress to listen."

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act passed in 1993 by a broad bipartisan vote after years of effort by Brady Campaign leaders Jim and Sarah Brady. In subsequent years, the creation of the Internet and the proliferation of gun shows has resulted in an expanded unregulated marketplace for the sale of guns by private sellers -- complete strangers -- not subject to the requirement to conduct a federal background check.  Additionally, NRA-backed legislation has already barred names from being submitted to NICS by federal agencies, and threatens to result in the removal of more names of at-risk individuals from the national background check system. While Congress has failed to act since the tragedy at Sandy Hook, several states have expanded their background check systems to virtually all gun sales to the point that nearly 50% of Americans now live in states where Brady background checks are required for all gun sales.

As of today, Brady background checks have prevented the sale of more than 3 million guns to dangerous people. Enhancing these protections is our best defense to ensuring the safety of all Americans, and Murphy's bill is an important step in that direction.

The mission of the Brady organization and its Million Mom March is to create a safer America by cutting gun deaths in half by 2025. For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BradyBuzz. About Us: The Brady Campaign and Center, united with the Million Mom March, is a national network of over 90 grassroots chapter affiliates mobilized to prevent gun violence at the community level. The network has played a vital role in expanding Brady background checks in the six states that have passed legislation since the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and produced the largest national protest of gun violence in U.S. history - The Million Mom March, Mother's Day 2000.

SOURCE The Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence