Democrats Say House Gun Control Sit-In Succeeded

WASHINGTON (AP) — 4:15 a.m.

Democrats say their sit-in on guns succeeded even though they did not get the two votes they were seeking.

At a 3:30 a.m. news conference Thursday, Democrats said their efforts had raised awareness of the issue around the world, and they vowed to keep up the fight.

Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who led the protest, said Democrats "crossed one bridge," but said, "We have other bridges to cross."

Lewis said Democrats "made a down payment on ending gun violence" in America, while Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts said. "We had a victory for democracy. We stood up to the special interests."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Democrats "have changed the dynamic of what happens" on guns.

3:50 a.m.

Before adjourning until July 5, Republican leaders reminded lawmakers about decorum on the House floor.

In particular, leaders reminded lawmakers that they are barred from using electronic devices to display audio or video recordings of House proceedings or take pictures on the House floor.

Democrats openly flaunted those rules throughout a sit-in that lasted until early Thursday. Lawmakers transmitted proceedings though smart-phone video distributed on social media such as Periscope and Facebook, and many tweeted photos of themselves on the House floor. GOP leaders cut off House cameras as the sit-in began, leaving Democrats to scramble for an alternative way to get their message out to the public.

GOP leaders said the rules were based on the notion that images from the House floor "might be taken to carry the imprimatur of the House."

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