Democrats filibuster for over 14 hours over gun law votes

In the wake of the Orlando shootings over the weekend, senators from the Democratic Party in the US have filibustered in the Senate in order to force a vote on gun laws.

Senator Chris Murphy, whose state of Connecticut saw the mass shooting of 20 children in Sandy Hook school in 2012, vowed to stay on the Senate floor "until we get some signal... that we can come together."

He said during the filibuster, I've had enough. I've had enough of the ongoing slaughter of innocents, and I've had enough of inaction in this body."

He was joined by 40 Democrat Senators.

The filibuster lasted 14 hours and 50 minutes, and Republican Party leaders agreed to allow votes on two proposed gun control measures.

Gun control has been a divisive issue in the States, with the Republican Party blocking efforts to change legislation.

Votes will now be held on whether to ban people on the government's terrorist watch list from obtaining gun licenses, and whether to expand background checks to private sales at gun shows and internet sales.

"We did not have that commitment when we started today," Murphy said.