Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly Statement on the First Anniversary of the Gun Tragedy at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina

June 17, 2016

June 17, 2016 – Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and retired Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, the Co-Founders of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions, issued the below statement marking today’s first anniversary of the gun tragedy at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina:

“Nearly one year ago, Americans began to hear the horrible news: a dangerous person had murdered nine of our fellow Americans at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Once again, a gun tragedy had visited one of our nation’s houses of worship. In an act of hate and terror, a gun was turned on our fellow Americans because of the color of their skin. “Following the tragedy in Charleston, lawmakers expressed their outrage, their thoughts, and their prayers. Americans called for our leaders to close the dangerous loophole that allowed the perpetrator to get his gun before the background check was complete. But after those taken had been laid to rest and the cameras left Charleston to go cover the next gun tragedy, Congress did something truly remarkable: nothing. “We pray for continued healing for those whose loved ones were taken, for the congregants of Emanuel AME Church, for the entire Charleston community. And we must all continue to honor the lives of those taken in Charleston one year ago through action – to reduce gun violence and condemn racism.”