Newtown Bicyclists Arrive In D.C. To Press For Gun Control

WASHINGTON — Twenty-six cyclists arrived Tuesday at the Capitol after a four-day ride from Newtown, bringing a plea for tighter gun limits to a reluctant Congress.

"Here's our message: Please put politics aside and get it done," said Monte Frank of Newtown, who organized the nearly 400-mile ride, with one rider for each of the 20 first-graders and six educators slain Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

They lined up on the muddy expanse of the west front lawn of the Capitol with the entire Connecticut congressional delegation in front of them. Their green bike jerseys had a simple message of peace, hope and love on the backs, but the lawmakers spoke of the more complicated reality of getting gun control legislation passed. The NRA and other gun enthusiasts have said that new limits on guns infringe on their Second Amendment rights.

Despite the energy of the cyclists — who arrived on Capitol Hill just days before the three-month anniversary of the school massacre — the prospect of tougher gun laws appears to be fading. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday passed legislation closing loopholes that allow some gun buyers to skip background checks. That bill is more popular in Congress than banning assault weapons or high-capacity clips, yet it just eked out of the Judiciary Committee on a 10-8 party-line vote.

"The people of Newtown have inspired the country and propelled the national conversation on gun violence in a way we haven't seen before," said Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat who represents Newtown.