Nevada governor to testify on gun sale background check bill

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is expected to testify to state lawmakers on legislation expanding background checks on gun sales and private transfers.

Sisolak spokeswoman Helen Kalla says the governor will speak Tuesday to lawmakers from the Assembly and Senate. Sisolak is a Democrat and has said tougher gun laws are among his top priorities.

The bill introduced Monday aims to change state law so people can’t purchase guns and avoid background checks by going through unlicensed gun sellers.

Everytown for Gun Safety reports 20 states and Washington, D.C., require criminal background checks on sales by unlicensed gun sellers. Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson says a vote on a gun background check bill would be among the first taken this year.

Republican lawmakers have accused Democrats of hurrying the legislation.