New legislation has been introduced by 5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty that would expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads.  Esty notes that she's been pressing for gun control legislation since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

She says the background check legislation closes loopholes of allowing people to purchase weapons at gun show, over the internet, or through a newspaper ad with no questions asked.  The bill provides exceptions for family and friend transfers. 

It also strengthens the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by incentivizing states to improve reporting of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill and by directing future grant funds toward better record-sharing systems.  The bill will reduce federal funds to states that do not comply. 

Esty says it's time for Congress to listen to the voices of over 90 percent of Americans, including the majority of gun owners, and expand background checks to cover every commercial gun sale.

Esty quoted studies showing that every day where background checks are used, the system stops more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun. However, she says there's no system in place to prevent these same prohibited purchasers from going online or to gun shows.

The bill, officially known as the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015, was also touted Wednesday by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, co-founders of Americans for Responsible Solutions.