New Fed Gun Law Inspired by Virginia Tech Massacre

New gun control legislation designed to keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill was passed by the Senate yesterday. The rare event of congressional action on gun control—and even rarer bipartisan agreement—was triggered by the Virginia Tech massacre last April. The bill, which strengthens background checks, passed the House in June.

The legislation provides financial incentives for states to put mental health and criminal records into the federal  database used for background checks on gun buyers. "Nothing can bring back the lives tragically lost at Virginia Tech, but the bill we pass today may help prevent similar tragedies in the future," said one lawmaker. (More Virginia Tech stories.)