The US House of Representatives is expected to follow with similar legislation
The US Senate has passed legislation that would empower the government to require stricter background checks for firearm buyers, among other provisions, as public debate over gun control heats up in the wake of recent mass shootings.
The ‘Bipartisan Safer Communities Act’ passed the Senate in a 65-33 vote late on Thursday, with 15 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in the upper chamber to support the bill.
“This bipartisan legislation will help protect Americans. Kids in schools and communities will be safer because of it,” President Joe Biden said in a statement after the vote, calling on the House to “promptly vote on this bipartisan bill and send it to my desk.”
Though the Senate version received some support from Republicans, GOP members in the House have urged their party to oppose the companion legislation, although Democrats control the lower…