Gun Control Sit-In In House

Dozens of Democrats occupy the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to force a vote on gun legislation.

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Led by Georgia congressman John Lewis, the civil rights movement veteran, about 40 Democrats staged a sit-in on the House floor in Washington, D.C., Wednesday.

The goal is to force a vote on gun control in the wake of the Orlando mass shooting.

Earlier this week the Senate rejected four gun-control measures, although there is a talk of a compromise measure in the works — one that would defy the NRA, amazingly. The House is thinking of doing the same.

“Sometimes you have to do something out of the ordinary, sometimes you have to make a way out of no way,” Lewis told NBC News. “There comes a time when you have to say something, when you have to make a little noise, when you have to move your feet. This is the time. Now is the time to get in the way. The time to act is now. We will be silent no more.”

Screen shot from CSPAN.
Screen shot from CSPAN. CSPAN

Tulsi Gabbard, the Democrat from Hawaii, is one of the participants, her office says. Sen. Mazie Hirono has also stopped by to show support.

Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted out that he would be joining in as well. Hawaii Rep. Mark Takai is not part of the protest.

As the protest continued late Wednesday, one of its most dramatic moments featured Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who was raised in Hawaii and graduated from the University of Hawaii.

The former Army helicopter pilot who lost both legs while serving in the Iraq War removed her prostheses and sat on the floor with colleagues, holding aloft a sign encouraging voters to call the Capitol in support.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth takes part Wednesday in the House sit in, aimed at forcing a vote on gun reform legislation.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth takes part Wednesday in the House sit in, aimed at forcing a vote on gun reform legislation. Via Facebook

It’s not clear how long the protest will last, though USA Today reported late Wednesday it “showed no signs of stopping.” House Speaker Paul Ryan has threatened to bring things to a halt soon.

Here is a link to CSPAN footage, however.

For a timeline of events, read Roll Call’s summary.

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