Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday rejected Democratic demands for votes on their proposals to reduce gun violence, and Democrats warned they may renew their unprecedented sit-in on the floor until they get what they want.

Three weeks after the Orlando massacre, the issue of guns and what to do about gun violence continues to roil Capitol Hill, but there is no sign Congress is going to act before it adjourns for the summer recess and the party conventions.


Ryan met with Democratic Reps. John Lewis of Georgia and John Larson of Connecticut, leaders of last month's sit-in, for about 30 minutes in a bid to defuse the partisan tension between the two parties over guns.

The two Democrats said afterward that although Ryan was respectful and courteous, the Wisconsin Republican would not agree to allow votes on their gun proposals. Democrats had invited Ryan to speak to their full caucus on the issue, but Ryan decided to meet with Lewis and Larson instead.

"I think the speaker heard us. He's listening," said Lewis, a highly respected veteran of the civil rights movement. "But he couldn't give us any assurances or guarantee that the bills that we've been asking to be placed on the agenda, that they would be brought up."

Many Republicans were furious about the Democratic floor protest, and they have urged Ryan to take a harder line in responding to the Democrats' tactics, including removing unruly members from the floor. Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) are meeting with Paul Irving, the sergeant at arms, to review Democrats' behavior during the 25-hour sit-in.

"The speaker was clear that he had concerns about the institution and his role as speaker in protecting that," Larson said.

When asked whether they would renew their protest on the floor, neither Lewis nor Larson would disclose their plans. "We're not going away," warned California Rep. Mike Thompson, who heads up a Democratic task force on gun violence.

Democrats are pushing for a vote that would bar anyone placed on the federal "No fly" list from purchasing a gun. Democrats also want to vote on expanding background checks to all gun sales. Both measures failed to pass the GOP-controlled Senate recently.

Republicans have countered the Democratic initiative by offering a "terrorism" package that includes a version of a bill offered by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). It would require the Justice Department to go to court to prove “probable cause” that a person is involved in terrorism before blocking a gun purchase. Law enforcement agencies would have 72 hours to try to stop the sale.

“This evening Speaker Ryan met with Reps. Larson and Lewis at their request,” said AshLee Strong, Ryan's spokeswoman, in a statement. “While they have different views on how to achieve a shared goal of preventing gun deaths in America — particularly on matters of due process — the speaker was glad they were able to have the discussion. The path ahead on the anti-terrorism package will be discussed and determined by the majority in the coming days.”

Ryan has offered Democrats a more symbolic procedural vote, known as a “motion to recommit,” on their gun control pitch. But Democrats are asking for a vote on their actual proposals.

The Democratic protest in late June effectively shut down the House just before the July 4 recess, forcing Ryan to adjourn the chamber early that week to break up the floor occupation. But some Democrats, including Maxine Waters of California, have expressed interest in seizing the floor again now that members are back in Washington.

Democratic leaders have declined to detail their next move, however. Privately, some more senior members worry that another sit-in would set a dangerous precedent for when they are in the majority and Republicans are in the minority.