Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Statement Ahead of Wisconsin’s Special Session on Gun Safety
November 7, 2019— Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun safety organization Giffords, released the following statement ahead of the start of Wisconsin’s special legislative session to address the gun violence epidemic.
Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:
“We can’t wait for solutions to America’s gun violence epidemic. We need lawmakers to act now. Governor Evers recognizes the urgency in protecting Wisconsin communities from gun violence. Now it’s up to lawmakers to follow his leadership by debating and passing legislation proven to save lives. Voters in Wisconsin will be watching closely. If this ends without any action on gun safety, they will have a chance to elect new leaders next November.”
Wisconsin earned a C- for the strength of its gun laws in Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard. Republican lawmakers recently rejected gun violence prevention measures including bills to expand background checks and implement extreme risk protection orders.
Recent polling in the state found gun safety measures to have broad support among voters. According to a Marquette Law School poll, universal background checks received 80 percent approval and extreme risk protection orders received 81 percent approval from gun-owning households and 86 percent approval from non gun-owning households.
Related Resources:
- Fact Sheet: The State of Gun Violence in Wisconsin
- Fact Sheet: The Economic Cost of Gun Violence in Wisconsin