Five Democratic Michigan representatives are participating in a sit-in aimed at closing what they call the 'terror loophole.' They propose closing the loophole with what they call the #NoFlyNoBuy law. It would make it more difficult for those specifically on the FBI's no-fly list to buy guns.
Last week, Michigan's two Democratic senators, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, helped Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., stage a nearly 15-hour filibuster to demand a vote on measures that would have limited suspected terrorists' ability to purchase firearms. Senate Republicans eventually folded and allowed votes on four measures to restrict some rights, all of which failed to pass.
Today, Democrats in the House of Representatives are taking their turn disrupting proceedings.
Watch how the sit-in began below from C-SPAN (or watch it here):
The group, which is led by John Lewis, D-Ga., includes all five Michigan Democrats in the House of Representatives: Brenda Lawrence, Dan Kildee, John Conyers, Debbie Dingell and Sandy Levin. The several dozen members of Congress currently on the floor say they won't let the House enter recess until a vote is held:
No more silence. Some #goodtrouble on the House floor to demand congressional action on bill to prevent gun violence pic.twitter.com/Mx8wvv6kIC
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) June 22, 2016
I'm "sitting-in" in the Well of the House Floor to demand that House Republicans allow a vote on legislation to address gun violence!
— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) June 22, 2016
Joining @repjohnlewis and @HouseDemocrats on the Floor to say #NoBillNoBreak #goodtrouble https://t.co/LgftHWLffx
— Rep. Sandy Levin (@repsandylevin) June 22, 2016
Headed to the floor to join @repjohnlewis @HouseDemocrats for the sit-in. #GoodTrouble #NoFlyNoBuy #NoBillNoBreak #EndGunViolence
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) June 22, 2016
Sitting in solidarity w/ my colleagues on the House floor to demand a debate & votes on commonsense solutions to gun violence #NoBillNoBreak
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) June 22, 2016
Dingell's office released the following statement:
"My colleagues and I are sitting in solidarity on the House floor to demand that leadership allow a debate and votes on commonsense solutions to the gun violence that is plaguing our country. We cannot let the same old battles play out again. We need to ensure that real change occurs by coming together on commonsense proposals - like expanding background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them in the first place, including suspected terrorists, dangerous felons and domestic abusers. We can protect Second Amendment rights while keeping the American people safe. In fact, it is our job to do so. Same old, same old isn't cutting it anymore."
Kildee's office also released a statement:
"The American people have made it clear that they want Congress to do its job and act to prevent suspected terrorists from getting guns. Congress should not recess until we do our job and act to protect the American people."
*This post was last updated at 3 p.m.
