As of Wednesday afternoon, House Democrats have taken control of the floor and are holding a sit-in in an attempt to force a gun control vote.

"We have been too quiet for too long," Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) declared.

Joining him to "occupy" the House floor are over 40 Democrats (and some Republicans) who pledged to sit there, some preferring to stand near the podium, in order to send a message to Republicans that they are serious about passing a gun control bill.

"#NoBillNoBreak" began trending on Twitter as House members were forced to stream video from their devices after the video and audio feeds were cut because this is not House business. 

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) shouted, "Break the shackles!"

"We've had it," said Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA). "We're not going to watch any more people in this country get slaughtered and do nothing!"

It's being reported that the members have been reading the names of the deceased in the Orlando terror attack.

Politico reports that Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) taunted Republicans, saying they "don't have the guts to stand up to the gun lobby."

President Obama praised the action on Twitter:

Another participating member tweeted a photo of the sit-in:

Erick Erickson challenged the Democrat occupiers, saying it was all "just a show:"

Republicans were willing to shut it all down to defund Obamacare, but Democrats do not have the courage of their convictions. They should shut it all down until they get their way. America and its gun rights will be far safer with congress at a standstill.

The sit-in is expected to go on through the evening and into tomorrow.