Pallone, House Dems stage Congressional gun-control sit-in

Pressure by Democrats to force votes on stiffer gun laws leads to a sit-in at the House of Representatives - with shore Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6) joining colleagues who parked themselves in protest.

The move, Pallone said, was a demand that Republicans allow consideration of the bipartisan Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, to enhance background check methods, and the "No Fly, No Buy" amendment to limit the ability of suspected terrorists to obtain firerarms.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee rejected the "No Fly, No Buy" measure, a matter of days after a similar bill stalled in the Senate.

The Democrat from Long Branch also co-sponsors the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which would halt the manufacture of certain high-powered weapons while limiting the sale of existing ones.

"Far too many times, we have seen the shocking images of gun violence and unspeakable tragedies in communities across the country. But nearly every time, when the dust settles, the candlelight vigils end and the makeshift memorials are removed, when it comes to doing something to end gun violence, Congress has consistently failed to act," Pallone said.

"Our sit-in is an appeal to Speaker [Paul] Ryan and House Republicans to finally address these issues. Today, House Democrats have sent a strong message that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to address gun violence."

In the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy, Pallone and gun-control advocates led a press conference earlier in the week that focused on the effect of gun violence on LGBT individuals and other groups.

Pallone and Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) have urged support for a ban on firearm purchases by those on the terrorist watch list, a ban on assault weapons, and an identification requirement for online ammunition purchases.