Patch Poll: Should Congress Ban Assault Rifles?

In the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting that killed 49 people, Massachusetts congressional representatives are saying the country should curb access to assault rifles.

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat, was among those who walked out of the Republican-led House of Representatives' moment of silence this week, which he says "underscor(es) their cowardly silence on even VOTING on gun reform."

I know assault rifles. I carried one in Iraq. They have no place on America's streets. #Orlando pic.twitter.com/ibKQE2PpqF
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 14, 2016

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, a Democrat from Melrose, also refused to join the moment of silence, posting the following message instead:

Omar Mateen walked into the packed Pulse nightclub at closing time early Sunday with an AR15-type rifle, opening fire on dozens of people and holding hostages for hours before he was killed by Orlando, Fl, police. Authorities say 53 people were injured, some critically.

The man who sold Mateen the guns — a handgun and an AR-type rifle — defended the sale on Monday.

"It's horrible but I don't make the laws. I abide by them," said Ed Henson at a press conference. "My heartfelt condolences for the family and victims and I can't imagine the horror they face. I did everything by the book. I'm not going to be made into a villain."

A Twitter exchange from Moulton underscores the ideological debate, as cast by Democrats and Republicans, in the wake of Sunday's violence.

In the exchange, to which Moulton's official account reposted, a Twitter user says of the Orlando shooting, "It was a terror attack. Jihadist claimed allegiance to ISIS. It's not about guns. He could've used (improvised explosive devices)," such as the pressure cooker bombs deployed by the Boston Marathon bombers.

Moulton's response was unequivocal.

"How about grenades or anti-tank rockets? NO!! Because we outlaw these weapons of war. Automatic rifles should be too," he tweeted in reply.

Rep. Clark said she believes the latest act of violence might finally bring the change Democrats have long sought.

"For me, it’s just, I think, that after each one of these horrible incidents - whether its Charleston, San Bernardino, Chatanooga and now Orlando - I kept thinking, 'Surely this will be the tipping point,'" she told Patch. "In this political season, when every member of the house is on the ballot in the fall, we need to be sure that if congress isn’t going to change and act then we have to hold them accountable."

Her call is to elect "people who are going to work hard, find common ground and work towards the security of every American."

Patch wants to know what you think. Should Congress ban assault rifles? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=" http:="" polldaddy.com="" poll="" 9445601="" "=""&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;should"=""&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;http://polld<span id="selection-marker-1" class="redactor-selection-marker"></span>addy.com/poll/9445...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Maryland ban assault-style weapons?

>>Top photo via U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton Twitter