Democrats Sit-In Protest to Force Gun Control Vote (Video)

On 12 June, a man claiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people at the Pulse club in Orlando, in the deadliest shooting in modern US history.

Democratic Party members are staging a sit-in on the floor of the lower house of the US Congress to demand tighter gun controls after the shootings at a gay nightclub in Florida.

One congressman, John Lewis, urged his colleagues to never give up.

The Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, dismissed the protest as a publicity stunt.

Senators are pushing for a compromise, with top Democratic Senator Harry Reid supporting a Republican proposal.

Mr Reid said he supported new legislation proposed by Republican Senator Susan Collins that would stop gun sales to a limited number of people who are on some terrorism watch lists.

The bill is due to come before the Senate on Thursday. “Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward,” Mr Reid said.

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