The House of Representatives approved two measures on Thursday that expand background checks on individuals who are seeking to purchase or transfer firearms and would give authorities 10 business days for federal background checks to be completed before a gun sale can be licensed “This bill is a critical step toward preventing gun violence and saving lives,” said Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), who sponsored the measure known as H.R. 8. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced a companion bill in the upper chamber. The bill, titled the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, passed 227–203, receiving eight Republican votes and one Democrat vote against. Five Republicans co-sponsored the bill along with several Democrats. According to a summary of the legislation, it will “utilize the current background checks process in the United States to ensure individuals prohibited from gun possession are not able to obtain firearms.” Currently, any firearm purchased at a retail store or …