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Democrats hold Congress 'sit-in' protest to force gun control vote Democrats hold Congress 'sit-in' protest to force gun control vote
(about 1 hour later)
Democratic Party members are staging a sit-in on the floor of the lower house of the US Congress to demand tighter gun controls after the shootings at a gay nightclub in Florida.Democratic Party members are staging a sit-in on the floor of the lower house of the US Congress to demand tighter gun controls after the shootings at a gay nightclub in Florida.
One congressman, John Lewis, urged his colleagues to never give up.One congressman, John Lewis, urged his colleagues to never give up.
The Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, dismissed the protest as a publicity stunt.The Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, dismissed the protest as a publicity stunt.
Senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.Senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.
Mr Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists.Mr Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists.
The bill is due to come before the Senate on Thursday. "Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward," Mr Reid said.The bill is due to come before the Senate on Thursday. "Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward," Mr Reid said.
On 12 June, a man claiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at the Pulse club in Orlando, in the deadliest shooting in modern US history.On 12 June, a man claiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at the Pulse club in Orlando, in the deadliest shooting in modern US history.
'No bill, no break''No bill, no break'
House Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN he would not bring a gun control vote in the House of Representatives. Republicans, who control Congress, had called a recess but nearly 100 Democrats came to the front of the chamber, sat down and chanted "no bill, no break".
"They know that we will not bring a bill that takes away a person's constitutionally guaranteed rights without... due process," he said. It was one of the most extraordinary scenes ever witnessed in Congress, the BBC's Laura Bicker reports from Washington.
Republicans, who control Congress, called a recess which forced the cameras to be switched off. The cameras in the House were switched off but the protesters took their message online, tweeting pictures and streaming video via the Periscope app.
So the protesters took their message online. Some are tweeting pictures and one Congressman has been streaming video using the Periscope app. Hours into the protest, Speaker Paul Ryan tried to resume normal proceedings, but he was shouted down.
The effort is being led by Mr Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The floor of the House became chaotic, with Republicans and Democrats shouting at each other over the issue.
President Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank Mr Lewis "for leading on gun violence where we need it most". The sit-in is being led by Mr Lewis, a veteran of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Legislators chanted "no bill, no break" and sang 1960s protest songs.
"What has this body done [to respond to the violence]?'' Mr Lewis asked, referring to several failed efforts in the past week to pass a gun control bill."What has this body done [to respond to the violence]?'' Mr Lewis asked, referring to several failed efforts in the past week to pass a gun control bill.
"Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage? How many more mothers... and fathers need to shed tears of grief?""Nothing. We have turned a deaf ear to the blood of innocents. We are blind to a crisis. Where is our courage? How many more mothers... and fathers need to shed tears of grief?"
"Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans,'' Connecticut Representative John Larson said to his colleagues. President Barack Obama took to Twitter to thank Mr Lewis "for leading on gun violence where we need it most".
Connecticut is the state where 20 children and six adults were shot dead in 2012 at the Sandy Hook primary school.
"We will occupy this chamber," Mr Larson told his colleagues before cameras were switched off.
The lawmakers want a vote to be held before the scheduled break at the end of the week, ending on 5 July.The lawmakers want a vote to be held before the scheduled break at the end of the week, ending on 5 July.
Mr Ryan told CNN he would not bring a gun control vote in the House of Representatives.
"They know that we will not bring a bill that takes away a person's constitutionally guaranteed rights without... due process," he said.