Should Americans need to pass a social media check to get a gun?

In this photo taken from a video shot on Nov. 28, 2018, Mike Carnevale places his hand on the back of Mark Hennesey while instructing him at the American Tactical Systems' indoor range in Green Island, New York. The application process for handgun licenses would be expanded under a bill before the New York state Legislature. The bill would require handgun applicants to turn over log-in information so investigators could look at three years' worth of Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram postings. Google, Yahoo and Bing searches over the previous year also would be checked. (AP Photo/Michael Hill)

ALBANY, New York: Should hateful tweets keep you from getting a gun?  

That’s a question many have asked after suspects in several horrific mass shootings were found only later to have left social media hints of violence that went unheeded for years. Now a New York lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require police to scrutinise the social media and online searches of handgun license applicants, and disqualify those who publish violent or hate-filled posts.