Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Statement on the Convening of the Virginia General Assembly

January 8, 2020 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun safety organization Giffords released the following statement as a new majority in the Virginia General Assembly begins their 2020 session.

Statement from former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords:

“This new Virginia legislature has a mandate to take decisive action to pass gun laws that save lives. NRA lobbyists once scoffed at the idea that gun safety would ever win in their backyard. But while the NRA bought silence and inaction in Richmond, we were building a movement, step by step, across the state. Election after election, session after session, we campaigned and advocated for safer gun laws and candidates who would support them. Years later, we have a gun safety majority ready to act.

“I urge the new majority in Richmond to meet resistance with resolve and to counter intimidation with courage. Today, you speak and act for the survivors of gun violence. You stand up to the gun lobby in the legislature so our children won’t have to stand up to gunmen in their classrooms. You possess a unique and irreplaceable opportunity to save lives and make your state a safer place to live.”