On June 22, 2016, a commotion erupted in the House of Representatives as more than 40 House Democrats staged a protest on the floor of the lower chamber. Among the group were notable representatives John Lewis of Georgia, John Yarmuth of Kentucky and Joe Courtney of Connecticut.
“No bill, no break!” the House Democrats who shouted.
The sit-in lasted 25 hours.
For onlookers across the nation, this eruption came as no surprise, because the frustration of House Democrats has grown over several years. Despite more than 100 gun control measures introduced into Congress over that time period, no proposal has passed into law.
Even with the recent mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub earlier this month in Orlando, Fla., four gun control measures failed to meet the 60-vote requirement to move from the Senate last Monday.
“I have marched, I have sat-in, I have been involved in all types of demonstrations but I have never felt more proud to see my colleagues of the Democratic Party actually say that this government is going to stop until there is a response from the Republican leadership,” said Congressman Charles B. Rangel. “I am proud that we are saying enough is enough, we are not going to take a break, we are not going to go home unless a bill comes to this floor to control the violent use of guns.”
Unlike Rangel, House Speaker Paul Ryan, referred to the sit-in as a “publicity stunt.”
As of last Dec. 23, 2015, according to the website www.thetrace.org, a total of 12,942 people were killed in the United States last year by gun homicide, accidental shooting and murder/suicide. Last month, according to www.breitbart.com, 66 people were shot and killed in Chicago alone.
Although the House members in the Democratic Party do not have support from conservative leaders to bring the proposed plan to the floor, their protest has definitely caused a stir.
