Voters have narrowly approved an initiative to tighten gun background checks in Nevada.
Supporters of the initiative, "Question 1" on the ballot, say they wanted to close what they call a loophole in current law by requiring background checks through a licensed gun dealer when most firearms change hands.
Jennifer Crowe is with Nevadans for Background Checks, the group that sponsored the measure. She says many criminals try to buy guns through private sales, often done online or at gun shows.
“Research shows that in states that have closed the loophole, more criminals are being stopped from getting guns,” she says. “So that makes pretty clear that it does work. It will be an effective tool.”
Governor Brian Sandoval, State Attorney General Adam Laxalt and 16 of the state's 17 county sheriffs were all opponents of the measure, along with the National Rifle Association.
They called the initiative a threat to Second Amendment gun rights that would cost law-abiding gun owners time and money.
