US Senate opens doors to debate on gun control
The US Senate has cleared the way for what are likely to be heated debates about gun-control legislation, avoiding a Republican-sponsored effort to block the talks.
Senators 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 issue of gun-control exploded onto the political agenda in the wake of the Newtown massacre last December in which 20 children and six adults were shot dead at an elementary school.
The legislation still faces many hurdles and weeks of discussion in both the Senate and House of Representatives.