Reps. Perlmutter, DeGette Among Democrats Who Sat Down On House Floor

click to expand

WASHINGTON, DC (CBS4) - Reps. Ed Perlmutter and Diana DeGette were among a number of Democrats who sat down on the House floor on Wednesday. They demanded that the House take a vote on gun control measures.

Perlmutter and DeGette, Democrats representing Colorado, joined others in their party at the U.S Capital.

The bills they are referring to are in particular two bills addressing universal background checks and preventing individuals on the Terrorist Watch List from purchasing firearms ("No Fly, No Buy").

Rep. Ed Perlmutter was among those who sat on the floor of the U.S. House on Wednesday (credit: CBS)

Perlmutter released this statement on his actions: "It shouldn't take members of Congress holding a protest to get a vote on common sense gun violence prevention measures that are supported by the majority of the American people. But if that's what is needed to demand action, that's what we will do.

"It is time we do whatever is necessary to ensure our constituent's voices are heard and action is taken to protect our communities. It is time to provide the funding and resources needed to enforce our existing gun safety laws and to research how to prevent gun violence. It is time to enact common sense measures such as universal background checks to keep guns out of dangerous hands. And it is time to prevent guns from getting in the hands of suspected terrorists and to keep military-style weapons off our streets.

"There is no more time for silence. There is only time to act."

House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he will not bring any gun control legislation to the floor.

The House went into recess just as the protest began but the representatives remained sitting on the floor.