The Senate “cleared the way for debate on the first piece of major gun-control legislation to be considered in that chamber in two decades,” the New York Times reports.
“Twenty-nine Republicans voted against the measure, as did two Democrats. Sixteen Republicans joined 52 Democrats in voting to cut off the debate and proceed to consideration of the legislation.”
David Hawkings reports that an “even more pivotal vote” is scheduled for Tuesday “on language embodying the bipartisan agreement, unveiled Wednesday, for expanding the reach of required background checks to cover customers at gun shows and online transactions, but not noncommercial sales.”

