Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly Visit Washington State to Support Expanded Background Checks

Olympia, WA – Today, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and combat veteran and retired astronaut Captain Mark Kelly visited Washington State’s legislature to testify in support of Initiative 594. The measure expands background checks on gun purchases to include those made online, at gun shows, and through other private transactions. The new law would not cover sales between immediate family members, sales of antiques, and temporary transfers, among other commonsense exceptions. Giffords and Kelly’s visit coincides with President Obama’s State of the Union address, highlighting that while Congress has failed to act to prevent gun violence, progress to enhance public safety through expanding background checks and other measures is being made at the state level.

“If Congress refuses to pass sensible and responsible solutions to protect our communities from the threats of gun violence, then we will take our fight to the states,” said Captain Kelly, co-founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions. “Initiative 594 protects the rights of guns owners like Gabby and me, and it protects families across Washington State from gun violence. Our cherished Second Amendment rights must be exercised responsibly, and that means keeping guns out of the hands of the most dangerous among us – criminals, the dangerously mentally ill, and domestic abusers.”