U.S. House Democrats unveiled a bipartisan bill to tighten gun background checks in an effort to address the nationwide gun violence epidemic.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was joined by former Rep. Gabby Giffords and other gun control advocates to introduce a bill that would require background checks on all gun sales.

The legislation would close the gun show loophole and require checks on all private sales and transfers, except in the event of a family gift.

The bill's introduction comes eight years to the day since Giffords was shot in the head in Tucson, Arizona by a gunman who also killed six people.

The bill is co-sponsored by Long Island Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice and Republican Rep. Peter King.

"When background checks are used, they keep guns out of the hands of people we all agree shouldn't have guns," King said. "As government officials it is our responsibility to protect our citizens, and when it comes to gun violence we must do more."

Despite broad support in the House, the universal background check bill appears unlikely to gain approval in the GOP-controlled Senate. The National Rifle Association announced its opposition to the measure.