AFTER REPUBLICANS BAR VOTES ON BILLS TO LIMIT ACCESS TO ASSAULT WEAPONS, DEMOCRATS STAGE SIT-IN IN HOUSE, FILIBUSTER IN SENATE

East County News Service

June 23, 2016 (San Diego) –Although more than 60% of Americans support limits on access to assault weapons, Republicans in the House and Senate refused to allow votes on such measures.  In the Senate last week, Democrats filibustered to force a vote, but the Republican majority defeated a measure authored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Last night, House Democrats staged a sit-in seeking to prevent the House from adjourning without taking up a similar measure. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan shut off cameras to prevent TV coverage on C-Span, so San Diego Democrat Scott Peters  live-streamed the action on his cell phone with a Periscope app.  Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis, whose district includes San Diego and East County cmmunities, also spoke—and sat—on the House floor.

Hear Congresswoman Susan Davis’ floor speech here:  https://www.facebook.com/RepSusanDavis/videos/1183815441661009/

View video highlights from C-Span of the House Democratic sit-in here:

 http://www.c-span.org/video/?411624-1/democratic-sitin-continues-despite-house-adjournment-july-5&live=

The Democrats’ actions came after the Orlando mass shooting killed 50 people.  Mass shootings have soared since the Bush administration lifted a previous ban on assault weapons. 

Republicans have refused to allow any restrictions since then, even to bar people on the terrorist watch list from buying assault weapons, claiming the 2^nd Amendment should allow no limits on gun ownership. Many have also taken substantial donations from the National Rifle Association.

Speaker Ryan, calling the sit-in a “publicity stunt,” adjourned the House shortly after 3 a.m. without allowing a vote on the gun control measure.