Bill to require background checks for buying guns killed

March 23, 2016 at 2:03 p.m. | Updated March 24, 2016 at 2:49 p.m.

State Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, shows a gun he bought without a background check to the House Civil Justice subcommittee in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The committee later defeated Stewart’s bill seeking to require background checks for all gun purchases in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
State Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, shows a gun he bought without a background check to the House Civil Justice subcommittee in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The committee later defeated Stewart’s bill seeking to require background checks for all gun purchases in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A House subcommittee has shot down a bill to require background checks for all gun purchases in Tennessee.

Rep. Mike Stewart on Wednesday showed off a military-style carbine that he had bought through a website for $750 in cash with no background check. The Nashville Democrat argued that in-person gun sales should be governed by the same rules as when buying firearms from retailers.

But Republican members were unimpressed with Stewart's arguments or his display of the AR-15 style rifle, and defeated the measure on a voice vote.

Republican Rep. Jon Lundberg of Bristol said that gun sellers shouldn't be require to conduct background checks any more than someone selling a car should have to check the license or driving history of the prospective buyer.

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