Two US Senators became the first of America's pro-gun advocates to break ranks on Monday night as they called for a ban on assault weapons in the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school shootings.

The two Senators – both Democrats but with "A" ratings and previous endorsements from the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby group – both spoke out to argue publicly that the death of 20 Year 2 children was a "game-changing" moment for America's divisive gun debate.

"Never before have we seen our babies slaughtered. It's never happened in America that I can recall, seeing this carnage," said Senator Joe Manchin, who in 2010 released a political advert touting his NRA endorsement and showing him with a hunting rifle 'taking aim' at a piece of climate change legislation.

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]