Rhode Island Congressmen hold gun violence sit-in
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
After the historic 26-hour sit-in on the House floor last week, House Democrats are taking their fight to Providence. Rhode Island Congressmen David Cicilline and Jim Langevin were both in Washington for the sit-in and Wednesday, they held another at the Providence Public Safety Complex.
The sit-ins are in an effort to get a vote on gun control legislation.
Wednesday, the congressmen were joined by other city and state leaders, along with dozens of Rhode Islanders, the majority in support of gun control.
The one hour sit-in was a part of what’s being called a National Day of Action where House Democrats across the nation hold similar events in their districts.
They are specifically trying to get two gun control bills to the House floor. One has to do with expanding background checks. The other would prevent gun sales to people on terrorist watch lists and no fly lists.
These movements come in the wake of the attack in Orlando, the worst mass shooting in our country’s history.
"To not be able to have a debate or vote on it, I think is irresponsible, it’s unconscionable and we’ve just had enough,” said Congressman Jim Langevin.
"We stand up in Congress and we have a moment of silence. We devote exactly one minute of doing nothing in response and it’s time that we no longer just have moments of silence. That we have moments of sustained action,” said Congressman David Cicilline.
Lawmakers are currently on a break. The House reconvenes on July 5th and House Democrats say they’ll continue their fight then.
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