by Anita Baffoni, WPRO News
Democratic leaders and gun safety advocates took their protests for better gun control to Rhode Island, by hosting a sit-in at the Providence Safety Complex Wednesday. Congressman David Ciccilline and Jim Langevin lead the charge following their 26-hour sit-in in Washington on the same issue last week.
“Colleagues in every part of America are bringing together members of the community to help keep the pressure on to demand action by Congress for these two common sense proposals,” Ciccilline said at the sit-in.
The two bills that Democrats are pushing for action would require background checks for anyone purchasing a weapon and anyone on the terrorist no-fly list be prohibited from buying a weapon.
“We hope to accomplish keeping the momentum going, the message alive, that our condolences and thoughts and prayers are not enough and we are tired of the silence from the Republican majority and the Speaker of the House,” Langevin said.
Dozens of people sat on the floor of the auditorium in the Providence Safety Complex for an hour, while speakers from Mayor Jorge Elorza, members of Moms Demand Action and a mother of a gun violence victim, spoke on the need for gun control legislation.
When Congress goes back in session Tuesday, Ciccilline says the protests will continue until a vote is taken.
