After Shootings in California, Texas, and North Carolina in the Past 24 Hours, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Calls for President Trump and the Senate to Act
October 30, 2019 — Giffords , the gun safety organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement in reaction to news of shootings in Long Beach, California ; Deer Park, Texas ; and Durham, North Carolina.
Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:
“Every single day that President Trump and the US Senate refuse to take action on gun violence is another day of heartbreak and tragedy. No matter where you live, the fear that a shooting could forever change your family’s life is a constant worry. We should not have to live with the feeling that no place is safe.”
“Our elected leaders have pledged to lead, but some of them are doing anything but that when it comes to gun violence. We cannot accept this epidemic of shootings as normal. Senator Mitch McConnell must commit to addressing this crisis by holding a vote on universal background checks. Too many families face trauma and tragedy—it’s past time for President Trump and Senator McConnell to listen, act, and pass laws that can save lives.”
In a letter earlier this year, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to act to pass a background checks bill amidst the ongoing gun violence crisis. She noted that the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, in February and the Senate has failed to take action on the legislation. In the meantime, the gun violence crisis takes the lives of over 100 Americans every single day, and mass shootings are a far-too frequent occurrence.
In August, Giffords announced a nearly $750,000 ad campaign pressuring the Senate to hold a vote on H.R. 8. The first two ads call out Senator McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and illustrate the devastating impact gun violence has on our families.
The Giffords Law Enforcement Coalition also sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass this lifesaving legislation. Signed by 15 law enforcement leaders from across the country, the letter illustrated the urgent need to close loopholes in America’s background checks system that endanger communities, including the thousands of law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line every day for our public safety. Twelve military leaders from the Giffords Veterans Coalition also sent a letter asking the Senate to debate H.R. 8.