DFL Rep. Debra Hilstrom listened at DFL Rep. Michael Paymar defended his background check bill. Hilstrom is the author of the compromise bill that does not have the background check provision. Members of the House public safety committee sparred over gun background checks in competing DFL bills.
![DFL Rep. Debra Hilstrom listened at DFL Rep. Michael Paymar defended his background check bill. Hilstrom is the author of the compromise bill that does not have the background check provision. Supporters of universal background checks for guns faced a stiff test in House public safety committee Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The bill containing background checks may not have the votes, and the sponsor is seeking a last-minute compromise to keep the concept alive. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DXZ3NUELR2UEKF7BHI2ED7Z4HM.jpg?&w=1080)
GOP Rep. Tony Cornish sparred with DFL Rep. Michael Paymar over the background check provision in Paymar's bill.
![GOP Rep. Tony Cornish sparred with DFL Rep. Michael Paymar over the background check provision in Paymar's bill. Cornish supports the compromise bill without the background checks. Supporters of universal background checks for guns faced a stiff test in House public safety committee Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The bill containing background checks may not have the votes, and the sponsor is seeking a last-minute compromise to keep the concept alive. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FC5LFK4NWU5FDHS2EJP5JJZEE4.jpg?&w=1080)
DFL Rep. Michael Paymar listened as GOP Rep. Tony Cornish ripped the background provision in his bill.
![DFL Rep. Michael Paymar listened as GOP Rep. Tony Cornish ripped the background provision in his bill. Supporters of universal background checks for guns faced a stiff test in House public safety committee Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The bill containing background checks may not have the votes, and the sponsor is seeking a last-minute compromise to keep the concept alive. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/M3ME4RVS7P4WQIWUVGSRAJCABQ.jpg?&w=1080)
After charging that Rep. Paymar was bullying DFL members of the committee who were wavering in support of his bill, Christopher Rager, right, of the NRA institute for legislative action came up to talk with Paymar after the hearing.
![After the hearing Christopher Rager, right, of the NRA institute for legislative action talked with bill author Rep. Michael Paymar. Earlier Rager charged that Rep. Paymar was bullying DFL members of the committee who were wavering in support of his bill but were supporting a compromise bill without background checks. Supporters of universal background checks for guns faced a stiff test in House public safety committee Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The bill containing background checks may not have the votes, and the sponsor is seeking a last-minute compromise to keep the concept alive. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/COYIWQA5JU2UVWFWUZK3FOTLN4.jpg?&w=1080)
