US Democrats end House sit-in protest, gun control prospects dim

Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, told Reuters lawmakers would now go back to their home districts to try to build support for legislation.

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Dramatic tactics by legislators are rare in the U.S. Capitol and the protest underscored how sensitive the gun control issue has become after the June 12 massacre in which a U.S.-born gunman pledging allegiance to Islamic State killed 49 people.

The House Democrats were seeking votes on legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases, as well as measures to curb the sale of weapons to people on government watch lists.

Congress has not passed major gun control legislation since 1994, with gun rights defenders saying such measures infringe the constitutional right to bear arms.

In the Senate, Republicans aimed to vote on Thursday on whether to set aside bipartisan compromise gun control legislation that has been under negotiation for several days, Republican Senator Bob Corker told reporters.