Statement by Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords & Navy Combat Veteran Captain Mark Kelly on Maine Governor Paul LePage’s Gun Violence Threats Against A State Legislator

August 26, 2016

August 26, 2016 – Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, the Co-Founders of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions, today responded to gun violence threats made by Maine Governor Paul LePage toward State Representative Drew Gattine. According to reports, Governor LePage told local media that “[W]e would have a duel…I would not put my gun in the air, I guarantee you, I would not be (Alexander) Hamilton. I would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt.”

STATEMENT BY CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS AND CAPTAIN MARK KELLY“It’s not news that Governor LePage is a bully. But Governor LePage has crossed the line from intimidation and middle school name calling to threats of violence. “When leaders join the rhetoric of violence with the practice of politics, we must remember that Americans are listening. When politicians threaten violence, we should fear that violence will follow. Most of us listen to Donald Trump or Paul LePage and shake our heads. Maybe we will cover our children’s ears. However, we must also remember that statements like these can provide the most dangerous and unstable among us the perceived permission to take violent rhetoric to a tragic end. “Governor LePage must apologize to Representative Gattine and make it clear to the people of Maine and for all Americans that he disavows these disgusting threats.”