The Senate voted 68-31 to begin debate on a a gun-control bill Thursday, easily clearing the 60-vote threshold to beat back a Republican filibuster, The New York Times reports.

The bill would provide a major expansion of background checks conducted when buying a gun, among other things. While this vote does not guarantee the bill’s passage, it marks a giant step forward; senators from both parties helped the measure over its first major hurdle.

A bipartisan bill would might make it much easier for the public to stomach — the last time major gun legislation passed was in 1994, which included a ban on assault weapon and President Ronald Reagan actually supported.

Nonetheless, many political minds believe the ban contributed to the drubbing the Democrats took in the 1994 midterm elections, which gave the Republicans full control of Congress for the first time in 40 years. But some disagree with that notion.

In the late ‘80s and early '90s, Washington saw an astronomically high number of murders, topping 400 from 1989-'93, according to The Disaster Center. Despite those numbers, many believe the Democrats overplayed their hand.

However, some insist Newtown changed the dynamic. Only time will tell. But, of course, a gun-control bill must make it to the president’s desk.

- Andrew Hedlund, Medill News Service