Washington, D.C. (CNN) - South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham got into a tense exchange with the Chief of Milwaukee's police department over background checks at a Senate Committee hearing Wednesday.
The hearing was part of the broader debate going on regarding possible changes to U.S. gun laws.
Here is the exchange between Graham and Edward Flynn.
Graham: If it is such an important issue why aren't we prosecuting people who fail a background check. There are 15 questions there. They are not hard to understand if you are filling out the form. So, I am a bit frustrated that we say one thing - how important it is - but in the real world we absolutely do nothing to enforce the laws on the books. Now, let's talk about the...
Flynn: Just for the record from my point of view, Senator, the purpose of the background check...
Graham: How many cases have you made? How many cases...
Flynn: No, wait. It doesn't matter. It is a paper thing. I want to stop, I want to stop 76...
Graham: Can I ask the questions?
Flynn: I want to finish the answer.
Graham: No, I am asking...
Flynn: I want to stop 76,000 people from buying guns illegally. That's what a background check does.
Graham: How many AR-15s are legally owned in this country...
Flynn: If you think we are going to do paperwork prosecutions you are wrong!
Legislative focus has shifted to expanding and strengthening background checks for gun purchases, as well as toughening laws against gun trafficking and so-called straw purchases.
The 1994 assault weapons ban expired in 2004, when Congress failed to renew it.