California congressman walks out during moment of silence for church shooting victims

While his colleagues were bowing their heads in a moment of silence for victims of the Texas church shooting Monday, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., was out in the hallway speaking to his constituents over Facebook Live.

The Democratic congressman, who represents the west side of Los Angeles County, walked out of the chamber in protest.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., requested all representatives rise for a 15-second moment of silence Monday evening, as members of the Texas delegation gathered near the front. A gunman killed 26 people and injured 20 more during a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas Sunday.

ALSO READ: Sutherland Springs shooter allegedly escaped from mental health facility in 2012

Lieu said to his Facebook followers that while he respected the show of support, he couldn't participate in good conscience.

"I can't do this again. I've been to too many moments of silences," Lieu said. "In just my short career in Congress, three of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history have occurred. I will not be silent."

Lieu went on to advocate for gun safety legislation, including a universal background check law, a ban on assault rifles, and a ban on bump stocks.

"Now I gotta go back to vote," Lieu said, wrapping up the one-minute live stream.

READ MORE: Killer celebrated with churchgoers five days before the bloody rampage

Lieu was asked in an interview on HLN whether he intended to politicize the mass shooting.

"I view it as doing my job to highlight this issue because you don't want Congress to just do moments of silences every time a mass shooting happens," Lieu told the CNN-affiliated network. "You want us to take action to try to prevent the shooting from happening in the first place."

Rep. Ted Lieu stepped out during a moment of silence Monday to make a point about gun legislation. Rep. Ted Lieu stepped out during a moment of silence Monday to make a point about gun legislation. Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close California congressman walks out during moment of silence for church shooting victims 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Despite a prior domestic violence conviction, gunman Devin Patrick Kelley was able to purchase the assault rifle used in the attack because he had been found guilty in an Air Force court-martial, not a civilian court. The Air Force reportedly failed to enter Kelley's name in the federal database used to conduct background checks for gun purchases.

In a press conference from South Korea Tuesday, President Trump said he believed tougher gun laws would not have prevented the shooting in Sutherland Springs. Instead, he argued that more restrictive laws could have resulted in more casualties.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.