Story highlights Paul Ryan called the Democratic sit-in a "publicity stunt"

"This is not about a solution to a problem," he said

Washington (CNN) Paul Ryan called the Democratic lawmakers' sit-in Wednesday to protest inaction on gun laws a "publicity stunt," saying that House liberals were more interested in headlines than solving the problem.

The speaker of the House also told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "The Situation Room" that he was not planning on actively fundraising for Donald Trump's cash-strapped campaign, and that he saw possible agreement between his pro-trade message and Trump's protectionist sympathies.

But the sit-in that began earlier in Ryan's chamber earned his scorn.

"This is nothing more than a publicity stunt," Ryan said, saying House Democrats would infringe on Second Amendment rights and do nothing to prevent terrorist attacks. "This is not about a solution to a problem. This is about trying to get attention."

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