Watch: U.S. Rep. Richard Neal urges House Republicans to move on 'gun control' measures during sit-in speech

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, urged Republican leaders Thursday to bring up two so-called "gun control" measures for consideration as House Democrats staged a sit-in.

 

Pointing to mass shootings, including one at an Orlando nightclub that killed 49 people earlier this month, Neal said what House Democrats are "essentially asking here of the Republican leadership is the following: two basic opportunities for at least the minority in the House to express its will."

 

His remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives came as the demonstration entered its 24th hour. Democrats later ended the sit-in, taking their message to cable TV news channels, the Associated Press reported.

 

Neal stressed that Democrats simply want to vote on measures to ensure that: those who aren't allowed to fly due to being on the terrorist watch list are unable to get a gun; and those looking to purchase firearms are screened for mental health issues.

 

"When you look at the victims and their families, the pain that has been inflicted upon them, for what now surely will be decades and decades, we're bound by the common principle today," he said. "There ought to be two votes in this House of Representatives -- easily done, easily accomplished based upon mental health background checks and if you cannot get on a plane, you ought not to be able to purchase a weapon."

 

The protest, which began around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, continued into its second day despite Republicans adjourning the House for Independence Day recess shortly after 3 a.m.

 

The chamber will not return for legislative votes until July 5 and will adjourn 10 days later for summer recess.

 

Similar to U.S. Senate Democrats who staged a 15-hour filibuster, House Democrats are looked debate and vote on proposals that would expand background checks and prevent gun sales to suspected terrorists.

 

Senators voted down four proposals following their filibuster, including: a GOP-backed effort to update the background check system for gun purchases; a Democrat-sponsored measure to require background checks of online and gun show purchases; a GOP-sponsored bill to delay gun sales to those on government terror watch lists; and a Democrat-backed proposal to bar all gun sales to those on terror watch lists.

 

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