Massive Spending Bill Would Improve Gun Background Checks

Congress’ massive new spending bill, known as the omnibus, includes modest gun-control measures aimed at improving background checks. The legislation includes “Fix NICS,” a bill that provides incentives for states to submit information to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Another measure in the legislation would allow the Centers for Disease Control to “conduct research on the causes of gun violence,” which was previously banned. The provisions come a month after the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the legislation this week.