Gabrielle Giffords Responds to Shooting at Capital Gazette

June 28, 2018

June 28, 2018 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the gun violence prevention organization Giffords, issued the following statement this evening reacting to the news that a gunman opened fire at the offices of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, MD, killing five and seriously injuring several others:

“Reporters shouldn’t have to hide from gunfire while doing their jobs. A summer intern in the newsroom shouldn’t have to tweet for help. We shouldn’t have to live in a country where our lawmakers refuse to take any action to address this uniquely American crisis that’s causing so much horror and heartbreak on what feels like a daily basis.“This is not normal. Since the year began, there’ve been 179 days and already 155 mass shootings. Every day, more than 90 people are killed by a gun, from classrooms to newsrooms and neighborhoods across the country. We are facing a problem and we have to do something about it.“Time and time again, those representing us in Congress have failed to show the courage we need to keep us safe. Bump stocks are still legal. Background checks are still not mandatory for all gun sales. Americans are demanding that their lawmakers pass effective laws that can protect our communities and stop dangerous people from accessing guns, but this Congress refuses to listen. We should be outraged. And we should be making plans to hold them accountable. I’m ready to stand with voters and make our voices heard loud and clear in November.”

Gun law and law enforcement experts are available for interviews tonight. To arrange a time to speak with an expert, email media@giffords.org.

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