Senate deal boost for gun checks

Conservative senators from both political parties are backing wider background checks for gun buyers, but it remains unclear if President Barack Obama can push significant weapon controls through the US Congress.

The agreement announced by Democratic senator Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey – two of the most conservative members of each party – was expected to make it even likelier that the Senate’s initial vote today to begin debating gun laws would proceed, despite an effort to block consideration of the measure.