House passes post-shooting rampage gun bill

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday responded to the deadliest shooting rampage in modern American history by passing legislation to help keep guns out of hands of the mentally ill.

On a voice vote, the House sent the measure -- which would be the first major gun control bill enacted since 1994 and bolster background checks for gun buyers -- to the Democratic-led Senate for needed concurrence.

The bill was drafted in consultation with the 4 million-member National Rifle Association, the nation's biggest gun-rights group, after a deranged gunman killed himself and 32 others in April at Virginia Tech university.

"I think the chances are very strong that we can get this passed in the Senate," said Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, provided the legislation is not laden with amendments that gun rights backers find objectionable.

There was no immediate word from the White House if President George W. Bush, who supports gun rights, would sign the measure into law.

"We are following the legislation closely and are supportive of Congress's efforts to strengthen the background check system," said White House spokesman Scott Stanzel.

The legislation would provide financial incentives for states to provide mental health and criminal records to a data base used for federal background checks on gun buyers.

The 1968 Gun Control Act prohibits anyone found by a court to be "a mental defective" from possessing a gun. It also bars felons, fugitives, drug addicts and wife beaters.