House Democrats occupied the chamber floor Thursday morning in an hourslong sit-in to demand action on gun control. Among them was Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), a woman who has experienced gun violence firsthand.
"I lived in a house with a man that should not have had a gun," she said in a chilling speech met with resounding applause. "I know what it’s like to see a gun pointed at you and wonder if you are going to live. I know what it’s like to hide in a closet and pray to God, 'Do not let anything happen to me.'"
Dingell has spoken openly before about her history with domestic violence and proposed legislation last July to prevent abusers from owning firearms.
It's illegal for those convicted of domestic assault to own or buy a gun. The law reflects current research that abusers who have access to guns are five times more likely to kill their victims. However, the law doesn't apply to those who are awaiting conviction-- even if they have a restraining order. It also doesn't apply to stalkers.
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