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Oct. 4 (UPI) -- House Democrats gathered on Capitol Hill demanding gun control legislation Wednesday, days after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, former Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona and Reps. Mike Thompson of California and Robin Kelly of Illinois attended the event, along with other House Democrats.
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The lawmakers took turns calling for tightened firearm restrictions and criticizing Republicans as inactive after repeated acts of gun violence.
Lewis said Congress failed the American people by not passing gun control legislation.
"How many more must die? What is your blood price?" Lewis said. "Bring common sense gun control legislation to a vote. We need it and we need it now."
Giffords, who was critically injured in a 2011 shooting, called for Democrats and Republicans to be responsible.
"We must never stop fighting," Giffords said. "Be bold. Be courageous. The nation is counting on you."
Thompson said a bill under consideration in the House that would eliminate the requirement for a license before buying a gun silencer is "dangerous."
House Speaker Paul Ryan has said there are no plans to bring the bill to a House vote anytime soon.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats also ramped up the call for gun control initiatives, specifically blaming the National Rifle Association.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said, "The reason we don't have gun safety measures in the United States today is because of the National Rifle Association."
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday it wasn't appropriate to politicize the Las Vegas shooting that left 59 dead and more than 500 injured.
