A state representative is part of an effort in 11 states by state lawmakers who want to close what they see as a loophole in gun laws, that allows a person to buy a gun at a gun show or online without submitting to a background check.

Representative Stacey Newman (D-St. Louis County) is active in several groups that propose tougher gun control laws. Her bill to extend the background check requirements was not given a legislative hearing in the 2013 session. Newman says she will file that bill early in the new session and is hoping for better results.

She says more than 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks and a poll in 2013 shows more than 80 percent of Missourians back them.

“I will be putting some pressure on (House Speaker Tim Jones),” says Newman. “People deserve to at least have a public hearing.”

Newman says the bill has had good results in Colorado, where it became law last year.

“They’ve already had some sales that have been blocked because the buyer was either convicted or charged with a serious crime. We know that background checks work and we believe that we need to do those in Missouri.”

Newman says she’s also preparing to oppose legislation that would block enforcement in Missouri of federal gun laws that has been filed by Senator Brian Nieves (R-Washington) and waiting to see what the gun bill Senator Ron Richard (R-Joplin) has said he will file will propose.

Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) has filed two bills that would make it a crime to allow a child to have a gun in violation of state laws regarding weapons offenses, to fail to securely store a gun resulting in a child gaining access to it, and requires parents to tell their children’s school if they own a firearm.