House Chairman Against Background Checks Being Part of Gun Control Bill

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) thinks the requirement would unnecessarily hassle most citizens

WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Wednesday he opposes universal background checks on gun sales and doesn't foresee such a measure being part of gun legislation in the House.

Requiring background checks on all gun sales is a top priority of the Obama administration in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, and has appeared to be emerging in the Senate as a possible area of bipartisan consensus.