Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Reacts to the Mass Shooting in Aurora, Illinois

February 15, 2019

Washington, DC — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention organization Giffords , released the following statement reacting to the mass shooting in Aurora, Illinois.

“Yesterday we mourned with the Parkland community as they marked a year since their lives changed forever. Less than 24 hours later we watched the all too familiar scene of an active shooter scene unfold, this time at a warehouse in Aurora, Illinois. It’s a horrifyingly familiar feeling because this public safety threat has cast a shadow over every aspect of American life. “It makes me furious that while people in Illinois tried to contact loved ones, the President dodged questions about the shooting unfolding in a Chicago suburb. If the President wants to talk about a crisis, let’s start with the 75,000 people that have died from a gun since he took office. “Millions of Americans are demanding stronger gun laws. Voters elected leaders to the US House of Representatives with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and take action to strengthen our gun laws. It’s for that reason we’re on the verge of passing a bipartisan legislation to require background checks for every gun sale. Now, our call is on the Senate and the President. Will you act?”

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Background on Workplace Shootings

In 2017, approximately 77% of workplace homicides were committed with a firearm. While workplace homicides have generally decreased over the last 10 years, there have been troublesome upticks in this violence in recent years. Additionally, the number of homicides committed by co-workers or former co-workers has remained relatively stable, with around 70 such homicides each year—the majority of which involve firearms.

Workers in places where the employer’s policy allows guns may have a higher chance of being killed at work. One study found that workplaces where guns were specifically permitted were five to seven times more likely to be the site of a worker homicide relative to those where all weapons were prohibited.

Experts Available for Comment

Firearms policy and law enforcement excerpts from Giffords are available this evening, and over the weekend, for interviews. To arrange time to speak with an expert, email Jason Phelps at jphelps@giffords.org.

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