Several elected officials on Long Island are calling on lawmakers to pass legislation for expanded background checks for gun purchases.

Rep. Steve Israel (D - Huntington) said Friday that he is getting behind Rep. Peter King's (R - Seaford) bill that aims to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and to close gun sale loopholes at stores and gun shows.

"The American people have had it with inaction. They want us to do something about this," said Rep. Israel. "We have background checks right now, but you can buy a gun at a gun show without the background check...That is a very dangerous loophole."

New York already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

Israel said the National Rifle Association has been blocking the legislation in Congress. The NRA told News 12 that the legislation "does not address the real problems of fixing the broken mental health system and prosecuting criminals."

Supporters of the bill hope the measure is brought to the floor of the House for debate before the end of the year.