Massachusetts delegation joins call for gun control vote

BOSTON (AP) — Members of Massachusetts’ all-Democratic U.S. House delegation are among those refusing to leave the U.S. House floor until they secure a vote on gun control measures.

Members of the state’s delegation participating in the sit-in Wednesday afternoon included Reps. Katherine Clark, Michael Capuano, Joe Kennedy, Richard Neal, James McGovern, Niki Tsongas, William Keating and Seth Moulton.

The state’s two Democratic U.S. senators — Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey — trekked to the House to join the protest.

Democrats want a vote on measures to expand background checks and block gun purchases by some suspected extremists following last week’s shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead.

Capuano says Congress should do more to address gun violence and that the two measures should unite everyone.

Rep. John Larson of Connecticut says lawmakers are “calling for the simple dignity of a vote” in the House on measures to block gun purchases by some suspected terrorists.

Larson says, “Rise up Democrats, rise up Americans. We will occupy this chamber.”

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland says, “We will not be shut up. We will not be shut down.”

Democrats chanted and shouted over Speaker Paul Ryan as he gaveled the House into session and tried to bring order.

Ryan pounded the gavel several times, but Democrats were relentless in their chanting. Ryan called a vote.

As Ryan left the podium, Democrats booed and some shouted, “Shame, shame.”

The extraordinary unrest continued throughout the vote on labor legislation. Democrats want a vote on gun control.

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