STORY: U.S. President Barack Obama called it a "shameful day" in Washington after the Senate failed to muster sufficient votes to pass a compromise measure expanding background checks for firearms purchases, sinking a key element of the president's plan to curb gun violence.
Despite emotional pleas from families of victims of the Newtown, Connecticut, shootings and broad public support nationwide, the plan to extend background checks to online and gun-show sales failed on a 54-46 vote, six votes short of the 60-vote hurdle needed to clear the Senate.
The amendment negotiated by Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania was seen as Obama's best hope to pass meaningful gun-control legislation after the December massacre of 20 children and six adults at an elementary school in Newtown.
Other measures backed by the Democratic president - including a proposal to ban rapid-firing "assault" weapo
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