"If the House-passed background checks bill would have been signed into law, this tragedy could have been avoided. Leader McConnell — you have no excuse," Schumer said.

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The detail that the alleged shooter purchased the gun through a private sale is already fueling calls from Democrats and gun reform advocates for the GOP-controlled Senate to take up the House-passed bill.

"The Senate must vote on the House bill next week — not a diluted bill, not a bill on other matters. We must take a vote on the House-passed bill to close these loopholes without delay," Schumer said Tuesday.