US Democrats end gun control sit-in

US House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington after their sit-in...
US House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington after their sit-in over gun-control law. Photo by Reuters

Democrats in the US House of Representatives have ended a day-long sit-in at the chamber held to protest the lack of action on gun control measures.

Democratic members had taken over the House on Wednesday (local time), sitting on the floor while chanting and singing, and stayed all night to push for gun control legislation after the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, even though Republicans adjourned the House and went home for a holiday break.

Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, told Reuters lawmakers would now go back to their home districts to try to build support for legislation.

Dramatic tactics by legislators are rare in the US Capitol and the protest underscored how sensitive the gun control issue has become after the June 12 massacre in which a U.S.-born gunman pledging allegiance to Islamic State killed 49 people.

The House Democrats were seeking votes on legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases, as well as measures to curb the sale of weapons to people on government watch lists.

Congress has not passed major gun control legislation since 1994, with gun rights defenders saying such measures infringe the constitutional right to bear arms.

In the Senate, Republicans aimed to vote on Thursday on whether to set aside bipartisan compromise gun control legislation that has been under negotiation for several days, Republican Senator Bob Corker told reporters. 

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