[little jeremiah]

I don’t get the difference between the current Nics background check and “universal background checks” other than as Black Agnes said above, the Nics would cover private sales.

Any enlightment will be much appreciated.

[TangoLimaSierra]

I don’t get the difference between the current Nics background check and “universal background checks”

A universal background check law would cover every gun sale. Private or not. NICS are made through gun dealers.
Black Agnes is right about universal background checks, in that it would be de facto registration. And very, very bad.

Strengthening the NICS is not the same thing. Depending, of course, what they consider "strengthening".