Legislation calling for so-called universal background checks was to be unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Jack Markell, Attorney General Beau Biden and other officials, including former Republican governor and congressman Mike Castle.
The background check bill is part of a package of gun-control legislation the Markell administration announced in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut.
Under current law, gun purchases from licensed firearms dealers are subject to background checks, but transfers between private sellers and buyers are not.
State lawmakers rejected an attempt by Markell two years ago to close the so-called "gun show loophole."
