Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly Statement Responding to the U.S. Senate’s Failure to Act to Reduce Gun Violence in Wake of the San Bernardino Tragedy

December 3, 2015

December 3, 2015 – Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, the Co-Founders of Americans for Responsible Solutions, issued the following statement today following the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass two amendments – one closing loopholes in the nation’s background check laws and the other closing the “terror gap” loophole that lets known or suspected terrorists buy guns – in the wake of yesterday’s tragedy in San Bernardino, California:

“Today, the U.S. Senate failed to pave the way for commonsense action that makes our communities safer places to live. “Faced with the opportunity to vote for an amendment that would build a foundation of action for closing the loopholes in our laws that lets people buy a gun without a background check, some senators voted for the status quo.“And with the threat of active shooter terrorism growing, United States Senators voted to protect the loophole that lets known or suspected terrorists legally buy a gun.“Once again, we wish we could use words like ‘unimaginable’ and ‘unthinkable’ to describe this irresponsible inaction – especially as it comes in the wake of yet another horrific mass shooting in our country. But we cannot.“Once again, some United States Senators ignored the will of the American people, stood with the gun lobby, and voted to protect the loopholes that make it too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns. “The American people deserve leaders who will protect their safety and represent their interests, not the interests of the gun lobby. We will do whatever it takes to ensure Americans know that their elected representatives in Washington betrayed them.”