U.S. House Democrats have ended their protest to try to force a vote on legislation that would strengthen gun control laws. The nearly 26 hour sit-in on the U.S. House floor was an effort by Democrats to require background checks for those purchasing guns online or at gun shows and prevent suspected terrorists from getting weapons.
Senator Claire McCaskill
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) doesn’t think the fight is going away.
“Don’t disadvantage a store that’s selling guns over an online retailer or a gun show retailer. It’s just that background check everywhere. The second provision is very simple. If we have determine through investigation that you are a terror suspect and you are too dangerous to fly an airplane, then you are not allowed to buy a gun in this country,” said McCaskill. “We are by far the home of the most mass shootings in the world.”
McCaskill says she doesn’t want to diminish second amendment rights.
“I think these two really reasonable steps are supported by the majority of Missourians and I think that this is not going to go away. I think that voters and citizens are going to keep asking for these two small steps that could easily save lives,” said McCaskill.
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer
Republicans, like Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri), say Democrats won’t compromise.
“They can sit-in as long as they want. It’s not going to make any difference and quite frankly what it’s doing is hurting their chances to even bring a bill up. If they’re not willing to sit down and work with us, we’re not going to be willing to work with them,” said Luetkemeyer. “At this point, they’ve galvanized the support against what they’re trying to do. On our side of the aisle, there’s very little empathy for anything that they’re doing. As a result, it’s going to be impossible for them to even get brought up that’s going to be close to what they want.
Luetkemeyer says Democrats are attacking second amendment rights of Americans.
“The FBI director told Congress the other day using the no fly list to ban firearms could disrupt their own investigations by tipping off potential terrorists that they are under surveillance,” said Luetkemeyer. “We have to be very careful when going down this road on many fronts.”
Some Democrats have said Republicans refuse to compromise and have vowed to continue their protesting when the House reconvenes after its July Fourth break.