Connecticut’s elected leaders continue to stand tall in the fight for some reasonable gun control at the federal level. After its own painful experience with a mass shooting, Connecticut passed common-sense legislation to prohibit the sale of military-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. It also stiffened the permitting process.

In the wake of another mass shooting, it is appropriate that the representatives from Connecticut make the case that reforms are possible, despite the opposition pressure from the gun lobby.

Earlier this week we noted the message sent by Connecticut Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney and John Larson when they left the House chamber as Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Republican speaker, asked for a moment of silence for victims of the Orlando massacre. The three Democrats did not intend to show disrespect, but rather to focus public attention on the emptiness of a brief moment of silence in light of the Republican majority’s unwillingness to even allow debate on gun control.

From Wednesday through Thursday, Sen. Chris Murphy used another legislative procedure to focus national attention on Republican inaction. For nearly 15 hours, ending just after 2 a.m. Thursday, Murphy held the floor of the U.S. Senate in one of the longest filibusters in history. He hammered away at the unwillingness of the majority Republican Party to take up gun control.

It is unclear what influence, beyond making a point and generating media attention, these actions will have. In response to Murphy tying up the Senate, there was movement on the Republican side to entertain a vote on Democratic proposals that would bar those on the “known or suspected” terrorist no-fly list from obtaining firearms and extend the background check requirement to gun purchases on Internet and at gun shows.

There is some interest among Republicans to extend the no-fly list to a no-gun-purchase list, but they are demanding protections that Democrats fear go too far and would erode the effectiveness of such a provision.

But at least the sides are talking. That’s progress. In any event, raising the profile of the gun debate can set the stage for the election, even if Congress approves no legislation, which appears likely. Then it will be time for the voters to be heard, and polls show a majority support sensible gun control.