Giffords Endorses Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia
November 9, 2017 – Today Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy Combat Veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, endorsed former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams for governor of Georgia.
Abrams has demonstrated a strong commitment to gun violence prevention policies that help keep guns out of the wrong hands, protect the rights of law-abiding Americans and make Georgia a safer place to live.
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Founder, Giffords:
“Georgia needs a leader with courage to take on gun violence and push solutions that will make our communities safer. Stacey is that leader and has a track record of building consensus on issues that impact Georgians daily. She is committed to protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens while taking action to stop an epidemic that is ravaging the state. Stacey understands the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of violent felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people.
“As Governor, Stacey Abrams will work to build support for commonsense measures that stop individuals who are in danger of hurting themselves or others from possessing firearms and strengthen the background check system. Stacey has what it takes to lead, and Giffords is proud to stand with and endorse her as she takes on the gun lobby and fights to make Georgia communities safer.”
Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams:
“Right now, egregious Georgia laws prevent our police from keeping automatic weapons away from violent actors, and force them to put weapons used in crimes back on the streets. As governor, I will support thoughtful solutions that protect responsible gun owners, while also supporting Georgia law enforcement officers’ ability to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.My family hunts, and I know how to shoot a pistol, fire a rifle and respect the power of firearms. Because of my respect for weapons and the Constitution, I will consistently support gun safety policies that prevent violence.”
During her time in the legislature, Abrams has been a consistent champion for gun safety, opposing legislation that would force law enforcement officers to sell back confiscated firearms used in crimes, laws that requires guns on our college campuses, and “guns everywhere” legislation that allows firearms in any establishment, including bars. Abrams supported legislation to ban military grade assault rifles. In the legislature she has been the chief proponent of Medicaid expansion, which is critical to providing mental healthcare access to more Georgia families.
As governor, Abrams has committed to promoting policies that prevent violence, reduce the prevalence of gun accidents and suicide, and address critical issues like mental health care access. This includes the introduction of universal background checks, which is supported by a vast majority of Georgians, and the repeal of existing harmful legislation like “campus carry” that is opposed by a majority of Georgians.
In 2014, Stacey Abrams was the first-ever recipient of the EMILY’s List Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award.