Three Cheers for Congressional Democrats

I'm very proud of congressional Democrats, who staged a sit-in in the well of the House floor to protest inaction and call for a vote on urgent gun safety measures favored by super majorities of the American people. Led by civil rights icon John Lewis of Georgia, they refused to heed a "moment of silence" for the Orlando shooting victims, shouting "We will no longer be silent!"



Specifically, they demand a vote on two measures. The first is to require all gun purchasers to pass a background check. This is supported by 92% of Americans, including majorities of Republicans and even NRA members. The second would make it illegal to sell weapons to people on the terrorist "no-fly" watch list. This proposal is favored by 85% of the American  people.

33,000 Americans died last year from bullets shot by guns. It would be easy to take a few common sense steps to help stem the carnage, but congressional Republicans remain at the mercy of the extremist leadership of the gun lobby. With majorities like these, some time in the not too distant future I can foresee a tipping point on these gun questions like the one we've recently seen with respect to LGBT equality. And when the tide turns the groundswell will be just as great a pleasure to watch.