Mayors group says illegal online gun sales easy

COLUMBUS (AP) — An investigation by a mayors group finds that many unlicensed online gun sellers in Ohio are agreeing to sell firearms to people who say they would fail a background check.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that 10 of 27 Ohio unlicensed online gun sellers agreed to sell to investigators who said they would probably fail a background check.

Only licensed gun dealers have to perform background checks, but it is illegal for an unlicensed merchant to sell a gun to someone they think would fail the check.

Columbus mayor and coalition member Michael Coleman says websites should require sellers to identify themselves and Congress pass legislation to tighten up background check requirements.

The nationwide investigation of 10 websites and 125 sellers found 62 percent were willing to sell guns illegally.