NRA changes stance on background checks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The country’s most powerful gun rights lobbying group has reversed its decade-old stance on requiring instant background checks for people buying guns at gun shows.

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said in 1999 that his group thinks “it’s reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show.” He made the comment after the Columbine High School shooting in suburban Denver.