In the wake of the Orlando shooting, many politicians have called for stricter gun control to prevent people like Omar Mateen from obtaining weapons as easily as he did. For about 15 hours on Wednesday, Democratic Senators staged a filibuster and delayed Senate business on the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill in an effort to persuade Republicans to vote on Democrat-backed gun control legislation. The proposed measures would require background checks for anyone looking to purchase a firearm and would prohibit suspected terrorists from buying guns altogether.
The filibuster was led by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who represented the district that includes Newtown, Conn. when he was in the House. He was joined by 38 Democratic Senators. "I live every single day with the memory of Sandy Hook," he said while holding the floor, according to CNN. Murphy also tweeted his support for greater gun control.
At 2:15 a.m. ET Thursday, the filibuster came to an end when the Senate agreed to vote on gun control legislation.
“I have been so angry that this Congress has mustered absolutely no response to mass shooting after mass shooting, in city after city that is plagued by gun violence," Murphy said through a press release posted on his website after the filibuster ended. "I'm not saying we aren't doing important work but there are 30,000 people dying every year on the streets of this country. And those that they leave behind—their moms and their dads and their little sisters and brothers—don’t get the total indifference that we portray."
“Sandy Hook was three and a half years ago," he added, "and Congress hasn't passed a single measure that would make the next mass shooting, the next murder of kids in this country less likely."
Chris Murphy did not immediately return Complex's request for comment.
