A bipartisan group of 167 House Representatives has called for funds to strengthen criminal background checks. Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty says her state relies on it.
Esty, a Democrat from Connecticut’s 5th district, says the group want $75 million in funding for the National Instant Background Checks System Improvement Amendments Act. It gives grants to states that want to upgrade their electronic databases to retain crucial information.
That includes mental health records and domestic violence restraining orders.
In 2016, the number of homicides decreased to 53 in Connecticut, in part because of the background check system. The state has been funded by the Act since 1995 –receiving more than $16 million.
