WASHINGTON -- Democratic Congressman Jim Himes protested in favor of stiffer gun control laws by walking out of the House chamber Monday during a moment of silence for the victims of the Orlando gay night club shooting.
Himes had said earlier in the day he was done with moments of silence on the House floor typically held after tragedies like the one in Orlando. He says silence doesn't honor the victims, it mocks them and calls the observances an abomination.
Rep. Himes said the moment of silence is perfectly emblematic of congressional gross negligence prompting him and other political leaders to walk off the House floor on Monday, vowing not to be silent.
"As you bow your head and think of what you say to your God, when you are asked what you did to slow the slaughter of innocence," said Himes who represents Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District. "There will be silence."
Meanwhile Democratic Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal as well as Democratic Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty said congress' inaction needs to end and once again called for a ban on assault weapons and for universal background checks. Also, they urged congress to make it illegal for individuals on the terror watch list from purchasing guns.
Currently those individuals can't fly but they can legally buy guns.
"It makes absolutely no sense that if you had an intersection with the FBI that causes you to be denied access to a plane that you will still be able to walk into a gun store and buy hundreds of rounds of ammunitions and dozens of guns." said Sen. Chris Murphy (D) Connecticut.
Leaders are also urging a more tolerant dialogue in our country with regards to gun control.
