After the deadly shooting tragedy that took place in Orlando, many legislators are trying to figure out ways to deal with the issue of gun control in America. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has been a major gun control advocate since the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School and proved to the country that he had had “enough”. With a move that shocked even some of his fellow democratic legislators, Senator Murphy took over the senate floor.
Here’s a recap of what happened in the 15-hour filibuster.
One of my staffers took this during our debrief mtg last night @ 3am. My legs are rubbery, but my heart is strong. pic.twitter.com/L6QmvopLYK
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016
1.Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) pulled a Mellie Grant.
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
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 15, 2016
Murphy took over the senate floor at 11:21 am Wednesday morning. If you’ve watched Scandal then you remember when Mellie Grant took over the senate floor for women’s rights and was willing to keep people there all night to hold up “business as usual”. Well, that’s what Senator Murphy did, along with help from other Democratic Senators. They prolonged speeches that prevented progress on other matters before the Senate.
2. The conversation went beyond the senate floor.
I'm speaking on the Senate floor to honor the victims of the Orlando attack & demand the Senate address gun violence. #Enough
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 15, 2016
How many people have to die before we decide the death toll is too high? We cannot wait to act. #Enough pic.twitter.com/pMn9hYTxJv
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016
3. 38 senators joined Murphy in his efforts to discuss gun control including Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).
.@CoryBooker gives passionate speech on gun control: “Enough. Enough. Enough…What we’re seeking is common sense.” https://t.co/msfOvnLtnS
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 15, 2016
4. They took to the senate floor to pressure Republicans to accept legislation that would deny suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms and require universal background checks.
5. Both proposals have gotten a lot of pushback from Republicans who are concerned about passing gun control laws that would fail to provide people with due process protections..
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) has stated that he and his colleagues are open to these proposals if due process protections are in place and individuals can appeal their names on a ban list.
6. Not everyone was pleased with the acts of Senator Murphy and the Democrats.
Don Stewart, the spokesperson for Senator McConnell, criticized Murphy’s attempts and accused the democrats of tying up the floor and delaying legislative actions on guns and other issues.
7. This is not the first time these proposals have been on the table.
The senate voted them both down in December after the shooting in San Bernardino, California. NO votes were scheduled Wednesday.
8. Both presidential candidates weighed in on the filibuster and gun control issue via Twitter.
I will be meeting with the NRA, who has endorsed me, about not allowing people on the terrorist watch list, or the no fly list, to buy guns.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2016
Some fights are too important to stay silent. Preventing gun violence is one of them. Stand strong @ChrisMurphyCT. https://t.co/LEl7iSLCgF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 15, 2016
9. During the filibuster, behind closed doors, senators from both sides tried to find a common ground on preventing suspected terrorists from buying guns.
The Republicans and Democrats have different approaches on how to deal with individuals wrongly put on the list and can’t purchase a gun. This has been the continued point of contention even after the filibuster ended.
10. Senator Murphy concluded using a heartfelt message with a reminder of Sandy Hook.
The final 7 minutes and change of @ChrisMurphyCT's filibuster on gun control are worth your time. https://t.co/bHvffe1P7v
— Ted Mann (@TMannWSJ) June 16, 2016
11. The filibuster officially ended at 2:11 am.
I am proud to announce that after 14+ hours on the floor, we will have a vote on closing the terror gap & universal background checks
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016
This would never have happened without you. Without your outpouring of support- your calls, tweets & emails. Your deafening calls for action
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016
This is one step. The fight is far from over. But there are millions of voices calling for change. And we cannot stop pushing #Enough
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 16, 2016
Senate will now vote on the measures. However, until both parties can agree on how to implement these proposals in practice without hindering an individual’s constitutional right, both proposals could be shot down again.