Rep. Sam Farr participates in House democrat sit-in

UPDATE 6/23/16: On Thursday, the Supreme Court weighed in on President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. And already, plenty of people in our area are talking about the ruling. Lawmakers also made their voices heard in the fight over gun control.

On Thursday, Democratic congressional leaders ended a protest in the Capitol. The group had held the floor of the House of Representatives for more than a day, calling for a vote on gun-control legislation.

Lawmakers then walked out on the front steps of the Capitol and told supporters outside that even though they didn’t win a vote on gun control legislation, the fight will go on. Republicans said it was nothing more than a stunt.

“If this is not a political stunt, then why are they trying to raise money off of this?” Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan said.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan amendment in the Senate that would prevent people on the FBI’s terrorist watch list from buying guns cleared its first hurdle. But it’s not getting support from Republicans, who say they worry innocent people on the list may not be able to buy guns.

Central Coast Congressman Sam Farr was there at the Democratic sit-in. While Republicans called the sit-in a publicity stunt, Farr says that’s not why he participated.

“They have shut out time after time any kind of ability to have a debate on a bill that’s in Congress on saying you can’t buy guns if you’re on the terrorist watch list. No fly, no buy,” Farr said.

Wednesday Farr and dozens of his fellow democrats sat on the house floor to demand action on gun violence. During that time he spoke proudly saying how the democrats need to take back Congress.

Farr, who plans to retire at the end of his term, said the non-violent action needed to be taken now more than ever.

“The Orlando shooting maybe the straw that broke the camel’s back in getting this to a point where we weren’t just going to take it anymore,” Farr said.

Thousands of people commented on Sam Farr’s Facebook page, some in support saying “talk about uniting the party!” While others said taking away guns would make them defenseless against government tyranny.

Those running for Farr’s seat here on the Central Coast weighed in on the issue.

“A topic that touches us here on the Central Coast the gun violence that happens. We’ve been witness to it here in Salinas. Our nation has been witness to it for the past few years and something has to be done,” said congressional candidate Jimmy Panetta.

Republican congressional contender Casey Lucius agrees more gun control is necessary but said she’d go about it differently.

“If the city council members had a sit in in council chambers I think the residents would think that we’re nuts because they don’t really care what our opinions are or care what our symbolic actions are they want us to come up with practical solutions,” Lucius said.

Farr said he wouldn’t call the sit-in a publicity stunt but more of a political stunt and even though the House is shut down until July 5. He plans on taking the debate over gun control to the streets.

PREVIOUS STORY: A day-long sit-in by House Democrats ended Thursday, after 170 lawmakers protested a failed attempt Tuesday to debate bills calling for more gun control.

Central Coast Congressman Sam Farr participated in the sit-in, posting pictures from the House floor.

Democrats are looking to expand background checks and ban gun sales to people on the no-fly list.

KION’s Brandon Castillo will have more on this story at 5 & 6 p.m.