US senate votes for debate on gun control

The US senate cleared the way yesterday for a weeks-long debate on proposals to curb gun violence, rejecting an effort by Republicans to block consideration of gun-control legislation prompted by December’s Newtown school massacre.

The senate voted 68-31 to open debate on president Barack Obama’s proposals to expand background checks for gun buyers, tighten restrictions on gun trafficking, and increase funding for school security.

The senate easily cleared the 60-vote hurdle needed to break a Republican filibuster on a bill that has sparked intense lobbying on both sides, including families of the Connecticut victims as well as powerful gun lobby, the National Rifle Association.