53°
Dozens of House Democrats are demanding that House Republicans allow a vote on legislation to prevent gun violence.
U.S. Reps. Elizabeth Esty, Jim Himes, Rosa DeLauro, John Larson and Joe Courtney, all Democrats, are participating.
They released a joint statement Tuesday calling on House Speaker Paul Ryan to hold a vote this week on gun violence prevention legislation:
"Congress’s inaction on protecting Americans and preventing gun violence is shameful, heartless, and irresponsible. The American people overwhelmingly support keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and other dangerous individuals, yet the House has not held a single vote on gun violence prevention legislation," the statement said.
"The House cannot remain silent. Speaker Ryan must hold a vote this week on these commonsense reforms, and we should not adjourn for recess until he does. At the very least, a vote will force lawmakers who oppose these bipartisan bills to go on the record and explain to the American people why they won’t take action to stop terrorists from buying guns."
The delegation is calling for legislation to close the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to purchase guns, and to expand background checks on all commercial gun sales.
A majority of Senators voted to block those same proposals in a vote Monday, June 20. The effort to bring those items to a vote was led by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut with the help of his Democratic colleague Richard Blumenthal during a 15-hour filibuster last week.
The renewed call for federal legislation on gun control measures comes in the wake of a shooting earlier this month at a gay nightclub in Orlando where 49 people were killed and over 50 injured in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Himes also walked out on a moment of silence last week on the floor of the House to protest lack of action on gun control.
Gun control has been a top issue for lawmakers from Connecticut after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, where 20 first-graders and six educators died.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.
