A horror story in two words: mass shootings. According to CNN, since June 21st, we have seen 136 mass shootings and the number is rising. Following 4 unsuccessful attempts to pass gun control amendments and the Orlando shooting, members of the Democratic Party protested. A sit-in by Democrats on the House floor lasted 25 hours, and it was to bring attention to the lack of efforts made by Republicans about gun control laws.
In a poll provided by CNN, 78% of Democrats voted in support of tougher gun control laws while 29% of Republicans were in favor of stricter gun control restrictions. These numbers were released on June 20th following the Orlando, Fla. shooting; which caused an increase in the percentage of people in support of stricter gun control laws in both parties, according to an article by CNN.
Backing up and looking at the bigger picture, Mother Jones, a nonprofit news organization, compiled a list of mass shootings from 1982-2016, not including gang related shootings or robberies. According to their data, 79% of those weapons were obtained legally. Looking at the 20 mass shootings cases with the greatest casualties, half of the weapons were acquire legally.
The most recent case, the Orlando, Fla., shooting, had the highest casualties in history. The legally-bought weapons used by the shooter were used to kill 49 people; after this incident, the Democrats were in agreement that this was the last straw, and many Americans are with them.
“The recent pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the apprehension of a heavily armed suspect in LA during the pride parade made me feel especially unsafe in terms of identifying as bisexual,” student Abigail Keith said. “I believe the sit-in, regardless of the immediate effects on congressional actions being so insignificant was a very good idea. It’s encouraging for those of us who want gun control yet feel that our government is doing nothing to reach the goal.”
The sit-in was led by Rep. John Lewis, followed by 170 lawmakers. Just outside, citizens gathered around and protested along with them. Twitter and Instagram was filled with videos, photos, and tweets of people either in support or opposed to the sit-in. Chants like “No Bill, No Break” and “ Shame, Shame, Shame” also circulated in the House. Everyone from the people in the House to the citizens were voicing their opinion about the protest through social media.
We got in trouble. We got in the way. Good trouble. Necessary Trouble. By sitting-in, we were really standing up. #NoBillNoBreak
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) June 23, 2016
However, the Democrats did not get the ideal outcome they wanted; there was no “promise” from the Republicans that they would make changes to gun control restrictions. Speaker Paul D. Ryan called it a “publicity stunt” though Democrats still consider this a win. According to CNN, Lewis addressed the situation outside on the Capitol steps, after the sit-in ended.
“We are going to win. The fight is not over…we’re going to push, to pull, to stand up, and if necessary, to sit down,” Lewis said. “So don’t give up, don’t give in. Keep the faith, and keep your eyes on the prize.”