On March 23, 2016, Rep. Mike Stewart brought an AR-15 style rifle to the Tennessee legislature, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. Stewart walked into a House Civil Justice Subcommittee meeting with the gun to make a point. The weapon was bought online and picked up in a restaurant parking lot. There was no call for a background check, and Stewart received the rifle hours after purchase.

Philadelphia is one of the most recent cities to implement "Ban the Box" legislation. According to the JD Supra business news site, the Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law took effect beginning March 14, 2016. The ordinance dictates employers can no longer ask about or investigate an applicant's criminal background during the screening or interview process.

Some schools are scrambling to ease the fears of the public after a USA TODAY NETWORK investigation described the problems with current teacher background check systems. Parents, teachers and lawmakers are calling for a universal teach background screening solution

A rise in class action lawsuits, and the threat of data breaches causes more government oversight in 2016. Employers who regularly conduct background checks on job applicants should be aware of several background check trends to remain in compliance in 2016.