Yet, some 25 percent of dealers at gun shows are not licensed, and so can sell guns without the check. It's not been introduced yet. Efforts to keep guns out of convicted criminals' hands need the kind of tighter control these bills would provide. The senators with different bills should roll their sleeves up and work together to increase the chances of getting something meaningful passed. When federal investigations reveal gun shows are the second- largest source of illegal guns, a national law is called for.
Critics say the background checks are time-consuming.
And the checks that take longer are 20 times more likely to turn up a convicted felon - well worth the wait. The speed of these checks will likely improve, as more and more court records go online. These senators will now have to work to hold not only their fellow legislators, but President Bush, accountable. On the campaign trail, Mr. Bush spoke in favor of closing this loophole. We hope it will soon be time for him to sign such a bill into law.