WASHINGTON -- Barbra Streisand, Alicia Keys and surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were among more than 160 singers, musicians and other entertainers joining the fight for gun legislation.
A letter sent to federal lawmakers on the stationery of Billboard magazine echoed Democratic demands for a ban on gun sales to those on the government's terrorist watch list and a requirement that all buyers undergo a background check even if they purchase their weapons at gun shows or online.
They asked Congress to act following the mass murder of 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
"Music always has been celebrated communally, on dance floors and at concert halls," the musicians wrote. "But this life-affirming ritual, like so many other daily experiences -- going to school or church or work -- now is threatened, because of gun violence in this country."
They said it was "far too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns.''
Others signing the letter included Tony Bennett, Carole King, Lady Gaga, Yoko Ono and Kesha.
The letter was released by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California after her caucus staged a sit-in for more than 25 hours in the House chambers to demand a vote on the two measures. Their action followed a filibuster by Senate Democrats the week before.
Senate Democrats won their demand for votes, only to see the bills blocked by Republican majority. In the House, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) called the protest "a publicity stunt" and said he would not bring up legislation that he said would take away the constitutional rights of Americans.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.