But the National Rifle Association (NRA), the main gun lobby, vastly prefers him to Mr Obama.

ECONOMIST: The Nine strike down a gun ban and delight the firearms lobby

The bipartisan deal, which will be offered as the first amendment to the main gun bill, would require all people buying firearms online and at gun shows to undergo a background check through a licensed dealer, who would be required to keep a paper record of the sale.

WSJ: Gun Measure Clears Senate Hurdle

The BBC's Tomas Fessy, in Gao, says Sunday's gun battle appears to have started around the main police station in the town centre, but there is now heavy gunfire coming from different areas.

BBC: Heavy gunfire in northern Mali town of Gao

The 11 questions from the voters present ranged from gun control to Libya to immigration, but the main focus was on the economy.

BBC: Obama hits back in fiery second debate with Romney

On 26 January, the anniversary of India's republic, he was returning from the main market in Robertsgunj when a "man, possibly in his thirties" came from behind, pressed a gun sideways to his head, fired a single shot and ran away.

BBC: India's perilous road to transparency