CARSON CITY, Nev. — John W. Griffin is a fast-talking, whiskey-loving, fifth-generation Nevadan who spends his days as a lobbyist courting lawmakers in Stetsons. He advocates for luxury casinos, once brokered a dispute between a brothel and a nightclub, and has helped feuding families resolve tussles over cattle crossings.

Now he is representing the ultimate city slicker, Michael R. Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, who, undaunted by defeat in Congress, is taking his campaign for stricter gun laws to the nation’s state capitals, including here, where a bill to expand the use of criminal background checks is before the State Legislature.

“I thought, ‘Heck, that’s going to be a tough battle,’ ” Mr. Griffin said. “But for a man with unmatchable resources, there’s good reason to be hopeful.”

Fortified by several million dollars in contributions that have come in since the Newtown school massacre in December, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the national coalition Mr. Bloomberg co-founded and finances, says it has deployed more than 50 people across the country, building grass-roots organizations and dispatching foot soldiers to pressure local politicians.

Published Tuesday, May 28, 2013 | 1:31 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, May 28, 2013 | 3:32 p.m.

CARSON CITY —



Fear held sway as Nevada legislators heard three hours of testimony this morning on a controversial gun background check bill.

The competing spectres: an intrusive federal government or another mass shooting perpetrated by someone who shouldn’t own a gun.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Justin Jones, D-Las Vegas, extends background checks from gun store purchases to private party transfers, a move that he says will deter criminals and prevent deaths.

The contentious bill received its last hearing today in the Assembly Judiciary committee before it heads to a full vote of the Assembly and on to Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, who said Tuesday he opposes Senate Bill 221.