WASHINGTON -- Wearing rainbow ribbons, House Democrats organized a press conference for the second day in a row to talk about gun safety in the wake of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida that left at least 49 dead.

We are all Orlando, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who donned a rainbow wristband as well as a ribbon in solidarity with the LGBT victims of the attack.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) called on Congress to empathize with the fear the LGBT community is experiencing right now.

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, also acknowledged the pain that the Latino community, hit especially hard in the attack, was feeling.

And then the grief turned to anger. Voices rose as the Democratic leaders excoriated their Republican colleagues for blocking attempts to bring Republican-authored legislation to the floor that would bar people on terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms.

While Democrats predict the bill would garner enough Republican support to pass if it reaches the floor, its not without controversy. A number of Republicans in both chambers say it denies due process rights to people on the watch lists. Gun rights advocates, as well as civil liberties groups , have also expressed concerns about the legislation.

Pointing to public polling and the need to take action, Democrats argued that the bill is a step in the right direction. Becerra said Democrats weren't urging a vote on an assault weapons ban because they are tired of not being able to do anything.

We certainly have a number of us who are supporters of the assault weapon ban, but lets try to get something done and lets see how far Republicans are willing to go, he added.