In a Bi-Partisan move, the U.S. Senate voted 68-31 and approved a procedural motion to let the debate on the Gun Control measure begin.

16 senators voted in favor of the motion while 4 Democrats voted against blocking the bid by Republicans to filibuster the Gun Control legislation. Alaska’s Senator Mark Begich was one of the Democratic senators opposing the passage of the vote.

In a big boost for the bill, two senators, Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania crafted an amendment that would expand background checks to Internet as well as gun show purchases, but also includes a friends and neighbors exception that exempts many private transactions.

While the background check addition to the bill improves the bill chances, it still will face stiff opposition from conservative Republicans as well as the gun rights lobby. The National Rifle Association has already voiced its opposition to the bill including the Toomey-Manchin proposal.

Alaska’s senior senator, Lisa Murkowski released the following statement after today’s the vote in the senate:

“More than most states, Alaskans are protective of our 2nd Amendment rights and we guard them as we guard our property and loved ones. Today we voted to proceed to consider a bill unacceptable to Alaskans based solely on the promise that it will be improved upon by proposals that haven’t been fully introduced for public evaluation. Alaskans and Americans have seen what happens when Congress votes on things so we can find out what’s in them later, and they don’t like it.

“With today’s vote, it’s my hope that we will consider effective, straightforward and honest ways to reduce violence by improving our mental health care system, keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, and enforcing existing laws. I hope the path improves from this point forward.”

Senator Begich, who is up for election next year and will probably face heavy opposition from Republican Mead Treadwell for his seat in the Senate, voted against the cloture vote as well, he pointed out his reasons for opposing the bill going forward:

“I’ve long believed we don’t need more laws restricting the Second Amendment rights of Americans, we need to better enforce those on the books. So I’ll continue to fight against any new laws which infringe on our rights. At the same time, we can keep our communities safer by keeping guns out of the wrong hands and providing our schools more resources. That is why Senator Graham and I wrote a bipartisan bill which has been supported by both the NRA and mental health groups”

“I voted today against the so-called cloture motion because I strongly disagree with many of the provisions of the anti-gun legislation currently on the Senate floor. By my vote, I’ll continue to work for the opportunity to consider more sensible measures to make our communities safer. I’ll continue to oppose any proposal that undermines the fundamental rights of Alaskans.”

Although the debate will be long, and Republicans have vowed to add a multitude of amendments to the bill, a vote will probably take place by next week in the Senate.