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| Senate votes yes to gun debate after moderate Republicans show support | Senate votes yes to gun debate after moderate Republicans show support |
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| The US gun lobby suffered a significant setback on Thursday as moderate Senate Republicans defied their leadership and agreed to allow a debate on gun control that could result in much tighter background checks for gun buyers. | The US gun lobby suffered a significant setback on Thursday as moderate Senate Republicans defied their leadership and agreed to allow a debate on gun control that could result in much tighter background checks for gun buyers. |
| Sixteen Republicans crossed the aisle to support Democrats calling for a full debate on gun control legislation, refusing to join in attempts to prevent the measures from proceeding any further. | Sixteen Republicans crossed the aisle to support Democrats calling for a full debate on gun control legislation, refusing to join in attempts to prevent the measures from proceeding any further. |
| The overall majority of 68 to 31 in favour of the so-called "cloture" motion to proceed to a gun vote comfortably cleared the 60-vote hurdle needed to prevent a filibuster – the tactic typically employed by Republicans, who are in minority in the Senate. | The overall majority of 68 to 31 in favour of the so-called "cloture" motion to proceed to a gun vote comfortably cleared the 60-vote hurdle needed to prevent a filibuster – the tactic typically employed by Republicans, who are in minority in the Senate. |
| It means Congress will now see the first substantive debate on gun control legislation in over a decade – a sign of how far the political mood has shifted since the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in December. | It means Congress will now see the first substantive debate on gun control legislation in over a decade – a sign of how far the political mood has shifted since the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in December. |
| On Thursday, Democrat senator Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey, both previously known for advocating gun rights, unveiled a compromise amendment that would expand background checks on buyers of weapons to include gun shows and online sales. | On Thursday, Democrat senator Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey, both previously known for advocating gun rights, unveiled a compromise amendment that would expand background checks on buyers of weapons to include gun shows and online sales. |
| A vote on checks next Tuesday now stands a serious chance of passing, although more far-reaching amendments on banning assault weapons and restricting magazine clips – both favoured by the White House – are unlikely to make much headway. | A vote on checks next Tuesday now stands a serious chance of passing, although more far-reaching amendments on banning assault weapons and restricting magazine clips – both favoured by the White House – are unlikely to make much headway. |
| Overnight, the National Rifle Association hardened its views even towards the proposed compromise deal on background checks, making the Republican rebellion all the more risky for senators from conservative states who rely on NRA support. Initially describing the Manchin-Toomey deal as a "positive development", the NRA later threatened retribution toward senators who backed it. | Overnight, the National Rifle Association hardened its views even towards the proposed compromise deal on background checks, making the Republican rebellion all the more risky for senators from conservative states who rely on NRA support. Initially describing the Manchin-Toomey deal as a "positive development", the NRA later threatened retribution toward senators who backed it. |
| In total, 21 of the senators who voted in favour of the debate on guns had previously received a top rating from the NRA for their staunch protection of gun rights in the past. | In total, 21 of the senators who voted in favour of the debate on guns had previously received a top rating from the NRA for their staunch protection of gun rights in the past. |
| Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal said the compromised reached by Toomey and Manchin was an important moment in breaking free of the grip of lobbyists. "They have shown they can break the stranglehold of the NRA," he said. "Speaking truth to power still counts." | Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal said the compromised reached by Toomey and Manchin was an important moment in breaking free of the grip of lobbyists. "They have shown they can break the stranglehold of the NRA," he said. "Speaking truth to power still counts." |
| The vote was also held up as a sign that the paralysis that has gripped Congress since Republicans took back the balance of power may be easing. On Friday, another bipartisan group of senators is expected to announce plans for immigration reform, and there is growing agreement over other once-divisive issues such as gay marriage. | The vote was also held up as a sign that the paralysis that has gripped Congress since Republicans took back the balance of power may be easing. On Friday, another bipartisan group of senators is expected to announce plans for immigration reform, and there is growing agreement over other once-divisive issues such as gay marriage. |
| Senate majority leader Harry Reid said: "This [gun] legislation and this vote is important for our country and especially the people from Connecticut – but it is also important for this Senate. There have been many things written in recent months about how the Senate cannot operate so I am grateful to the Republicans who joined this vote." | Senate majority leader Harry Reid said: "This [gun] legislation and this vote is important for our country and especially the people from Connecticut – but it is also important for this Senate. There have been many things written in recent months about how the Senate cannot operate so I am grateful to the Republicans who joined this vote." |
| He called on Republicans not to use further procedural measures to frustrate the debate over the coming days. "The hard work starts now," added Reid. "I hope there will be no efforts to frustrate the process and filibuster amendments." | He called on Republicans not to use further procedural measures to frustrate the debate over the coming days. "The hard work starts now," added Reid. "I hope there will be no efforts to frustrate the process and filibuster amendments." |
| Passage of the compromise amendment is by no means guaranteed, with a number of those voting for the cloture motion still expected to vote against the bill itself. In part, the decision to proceed to a vote simply reflects the pressure Congress has felt from the White House and elsewhere not to be seen to hamper public debate. | Passage of the compromise amendment is by no means guaranteed, with a number of those voting for the cloture motion still expected to vote against the bill itself. In part, the decision to proceed to a vote simply reflects the pressure Congress has felt from the White House and elsewhere not to be seen to hamper public debate. |
| Before the motion, there were emotional calls from Blumenthal and his Connecticut colleague Chris Murphy, who held up pictures of some of the children killed in the Newtown massacre. Some of the Newtown families who have been in Washington this week lobbying politicians also sat in the Senate gallery. | Before the motion, there were emotional calls from Blumenthal and his Connecticut colleague Chris Murphy, who held up pictures of some of the children killed in the Newtown massacre. Some of the Newtown families who have been in Washington this week lobbying politicians also sat in the Senate gallery. |
| The Democratic leadership still hopes to get the bill through the Senate by April 26, but the hardest task will be convincing the Republican-dominated House of Representatives. | The Democratic leadership still hopes to get the bill through the Senate by April 26, but the hardest task will be convincing the Republican-dominated House of Representatives. |
| The Republican senators voting for gun debate are very different in character from the Tea Party-backed lawmakers who control the House. | The Republican senators voting for gun debate are very different in character from the Tea Party-backed lawmakers who control the House. |
| Two Democrats voted against the cloture vote: Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Both are up for re-election next year in predominantly conservative states. | Two Democrats voted against the cloture vote: Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Both are up for re-election next year in predominantly conservative states. |
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