Senate Panel OKs Gun Bill With Background Checks

ST. PAUL (AP) - A Senate panel has passed a bill that would impose background checks on all gun sales, but that measure has many obstacles to tackle before becoming law in Minnesota.

Majority Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday night endorsed the legislation on a 5-3 party-line vote.

Sen. Ron Latz, a St. Louis Park Democrat, says his bill is a compromise with competing legislation. It contains many of the provisions in an alternate gun measure backed by the National Rifle Association.

The NRA-backed bill would not expand background checks. That legislation has many Republican and Democratic co-sponsors in both chambers.

Republican and Democratic party leaders say they doubt a bill with universal background checks could garner enough votes to become law.