SEATTLE (AP) — When someone buys a weapon from a gun dealer in the U.S., they are subjected to a background check to see if they have a criminal record, mental illness or other issues that prevent them from owning weapons

It's a process that has received attention following recent mass killings and as Congress pushes to improve the background check system.

Here is an explanation about the process:

HOW DO BACKGROUND CHECKS WORK?

In most cases, the first step in buying a firearm is to fill out a form that asks a list of questions to find out if the buyer can legally have a gun.

The person must c...