Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey have reportedly reached a deal on background checks for firearm purchases, which the full Senate could begin debating on Thursday.
The emerging deal would expand required background checks for sales at gun shows and online but exempt transactions like face-to-face, noncommercial purchases, said Senate staffers and lobbyists, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks. Currently, the checks are required only for sales handled through licensed gun dealers.
Though many details of the emerging agreement were unclear early Wednesday, Manchin and Toomey are among their parties' most conservative members and a deal could make it easier for some hesitant senators to support the background check measure, at least for now.
Deal: Senators Joe Manchin (left) and Pat Toomey (right) have reportedly reached a deal on background checks for firearm purchases, which the full Senate will likely vote on Thursday
Subjecting more firearms purchases to federal background checks has been the chief goal of Obama and gun control supporters, who promote the system as a way to prevent criminals and other risky people from getting the weapons.
Some Republicans might vote to begin debate on the Manchin-Toomey deal but eventually oppose the measure on final passage. Other parts of Obama's gun effort already seem likely to face defeat, including proposed bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Subjecting more firearms purchases to federal background checks has been the chief goal of Obama and gun control supporters
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has set a roll call for Thursday on starting consideration of gun legislation that would extend the background check requirement to nearly all gun sales.
The gun bill also tightens federal laws against illegal gun sales and slightly increases federal aid for school safety.
Thirteen conservatives have signed a letter saying they will block consideration of the measure, and McConnell said he will back that move. That will force Democrats to round up 60 votes to overcome the conservatives.
At least eight Republicans have said they want to begin debate or have indicated a willingness to consider it, a number that would be expected to grow if the background check agreement proves successful.
The eight are Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Susan Collins of Maine, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Mark Kirk of Illinois.
The Obama administration has continued its efforts to pressure Republicans in restricting firearms, with Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder speaking at the White House Tuesday joined by law enforcement officials
Some moderate Democrats were remaining noncommittal and could oppose opening the gun debate. They include Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas, who are seeking re-election next year. There are 53 Senate Democrats and two independents who lean Democratic.
Amid the maneuvering, relatives of some Newtown victims are lobbying to support gun curbs. And Obama has been calling senators from both parties to push for the gun bill.
'People should listen to what we have to say and move the debate forward,' said Mark Barden, who lost his 7-year-old son, Daniel. 'It's not just about our tragedy. Lots of kids are killed every day in this nation. We have to help lead the change.'
The National Rifle Association opposes Obama's effort and is urging its members — it claims nearly 5 million — to tell lawmakers of their opposition.
In GOP-heavy Louisiana, the NRA asked members to contact Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, who is seeking re-election next year. 'The future of our Second Amendment rights are at stake,' the mailing said.
Counteracting that has been an effort by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, one of whose leaders is billionaire New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It said it will keep track of key gun-related congressional roll calls and make the information available to voters and contributors — a tactic long used by the NRA and other groups.