US DEMOCRATIC Party senators are preparing new gun control legislation following the Oregon community college massacre, a party member said yesterday.

Although the Republican majority in the US Congress is likely to oppose any such moves, the debate could put pressure on right-wing senators in next year’s elections.

The Bill would include broadening FBI background checks on gun-buyers, now required only for sales by licensed firearms dealers, to cover all sales at gun shows and online, and make it harder for people to buy guns if their background check is not completed.

Currently, if a background check is still not complete after three days — often because the FBI is awaiting information from local police — the sale is allowed.

It would seek to add all domestic abusers to the list of those banned from buying firearms and make it a federal offence to be a straw purchaser — buying a gun for somebody else.