US: Late on Thursday, US senators advanced a bipartisan bill to combat the scourge of gun violence roiling the nation, passing a limited set of new gun control measures along with significant spending for mental health and school safety.

The amendments, which are probably set to be approved by the House of Representatives on Friday, have been hailed as a life-saving breakthrough after nearly 30 years of inaction by Congress. However, they fall short of the requests of gun safety campaigners and President Joe Biden.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes improved background checks for purchasers under the age of 21, $11 billion in financing for mental health, and $2 billion for school safety initiatives. It was supported by all 50 Democratic senators and 15 Republicans.

Late on Thursday, US senators advanced a bipartisan bill to combat the scourge of gun violence roiling the nation, passing a limited set of new gun control measures along with significant spending for mental health and school safety.