Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood side by side with Representative Carolyn McCarthy and Senator Charles Schumer on Capitol Hill Tuesday to show support for the "Fix Gun Checks Act."

The bill aims to close the loopholes in existing laws governing background checks.

Under current law, gun sellers are supposed to run background checks on potential buyers.

The information then goes to state agencies, which are supposed to put that information into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System or NICS.

But the laws don't pertain to private sellers like those at gun shows.

"We're urging Congress to fix our background check system. And more than 250,000 Americans have signed our petition in support of that effort," Bloomberg said.

"Felons shouldn't have guns. People who are mentally ill shouldn't have guns. Drug abusers shouldn't have guns. Everyone agrees with that, even the NRA," Schumer said.

"There will be differences here and there on both sides but we've had enough of that. By doing nothing we are only waiting for the next tragedy," McCarthy said.

The bill would increase penalties for states that do not adequately turn over background information.

It would also increase federal agencies to certify twice a year that they submitted all relevant records to the NICS.