Politics

Senate Democrats Launch Filibuster On Gun Control

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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Democrat Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy launched a filibuster Wednesday morning with fellow Democrats in order to push for gun control legislation.

“I’m speaking on the Senate floor to honor the victims of the Orlando attack & demand the Senate address gun violence,” Murphy tweeted out. “I am prepared to stand on the Senate floor and talk about the need to prevent gun violence for as long as I can. I’ve had #Enough.”

Murphy has been joined by fellow Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey so far.

“What we are seeking is not radical. What we are seeking is not something that is partisan. What we are seeking is common sense,” Booker said.

Democratic lawmakers are currently seeking to close what they call the “terror loophole.” They wish to bar people on the terror watch list and no-fly list from purchasing guns. Republican congressional leaders have come out against this initiative on this basis of due process. (RELATED: Trump To Meet With NRA To Discuss Gun Control)

President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Democratic lawmakers have also been seeking a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban.

The National Rifle Association in a statement Wednesday said it believes “that terrorists should not be allowed to purchase or possess firearms, period.”

The group though does not support a blanket ban of people on the terror watchlist from buying guns. Instead it calls for the government to investigate and go to court to block the purchase.