Democrats Are Staging A Sit-In Over Gun Laws As We Speak

Democrats stage a sit-in on House floor over gun control

After four gun control measures failed to pass this week, you could almost hear a collective sigh wash over the country. We’ve been here too many times before. It’s starting to feel like the NRA is just a Goliath we will never be able to conquer.

Then something like this happens. The representatives we vote to lead actually start acting like leaders — and demand to be listened to.

Right now a group of nearly three dozen legislators are sitting down cross-legged in the middle of the House floor, pushing for gun control votes. And some Republican legislators are being accused of turning off the CSPAN cameras so their colleagues don’t get the attention and support they deserve.

“The soul of this nation cries out for a vote,” said Rep. John B. Larson (D-CT). “We ask our colleagues to provide us with the simple dignity that every American is calling for… a vote.”

“The time for silence and patience is long gone.” – Rep, John Lewis, (D-GA)

“We have to occupy the floor of the House until there is action,” Rep. John B. Larson (D-CT) said, as his fellow members began to sit down late Wednesday morning. “Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans, this cannot stand.”

Since C-SPAN’s cameras are controlled by the Republican majority and switched off, Democrats are taking to Twitter to let the world know what they are doing.

The Atlantic reports that Lewis asked all his colleagues to come to the front of the House chamber. “We have lost hundreds and thousands of innocent people to gun violence,” Lewis said. “Tiny little children, babies, students, and teachers, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, friends and neighbors. And what has this body done? Mr. Speaker, not one thing.”

“It is past time for Congress to listen to the American public instead of the National Rifle Association,” Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) said.