Politics | Mon Jun 20, 2016 5:29pm EDT

Senate set to reject gun control bids, new compromise sought

WASHINGTON | BY RICHARD COWAN

The U.S. Senate's strongest push in years to tighten gun control was likely to fall short on Monday while lawmakers tried to forge a compromise by later this week that might keep firearms away from people on terrorism watch lists.

The deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history last week has spurred quick action in Congress, but none of the four bills getting votes later on Monday was expected to achieve the 60 votes needed for passage in the 100-seat chamber, as Republicans and Democrats have not been able to reach consensus.

Republicans and Democrats have offered two proposals each to expand background checks on gun buyers and curb gun sales for individuals on terrorism watch lists after the massacre in an Orlando nightclub.

But Republicans and their allies in the National Rifle Association gun lobby say the Democratic bills are too restrictive and trample on the constitutional right to bear arms. Democrats attacked the Republicans plans as too weak, and all of the measures were expected to lose in near party-line votes.

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