Gov. signs bill expanding background gun checks

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon Governor Kate Brown on Monday signed legislation expanding background checks to cover nearly every private firearm sale in the state.

The bill makes it illegal to transfer a gun to someone who isn't a close relative. Private sales would have to take place in front of a licensed gun dealer who can run a background check.

"We have an obligation to protect Oregonians from gun violence," Brown said. "If we want to keep our kids, schools and communities safe, we must make it harder for dangerous people to get guns."

She added that in March alone 193 people prohibited by law from having guns tried to purchase them in Oregon anyway, according to Oregon State Police transaction data. And most of those people were convicted felons.

Now Oregon is the eighth state with universal background checks. Advocates say no other states have passed such legislation this year.

Republicans had opposed the measure since it was introduced and hundreds of opponents flooded legislators with emails and calls urging them to vote against it.

But last year's election helped Democrats increase their majorities in both chambers, paving the way for the bill's passage.

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