Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Reflects on Anniversary of Parkland Shooting

Washington, DC — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention organization Giffords, issued the following statement marking the second anniversary of the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School:

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:

“We will never forget the way it felt two years ago to see what unfolded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We talk about the horrific shooting frequently, yet it never gets easier to realize that our country is a place where 17 people can go to school and never return home that evening. Fourteen students would never spend another minute doing homework, learning a sport or instrument, or celebrating a birthday. Three coaches and teachers would never mentor another student, never make it to another practice.

“We will never accept the pervasive threat of gun violence in our society as normal. Our children should be focused on school—not whether they need to hide under a desk. No child, regardless of the neighborhood they grew up in, should live in fear of gun violence. No community should have to wrestle with the grief gun violence brings. This crisis has become a sad reality for all of us, but it doesn’t mean we stop fighting.

“We will never stop demanding that our leaders listen to the youngest generation, take action, and make history by making our children safe. When the students of Parkland bravely took a stand to call for change, we stood by their side. America marched with them for a safer future and voted with them to elect more leaders with courage. We can solve this problem. We can protect our kids in their classrooms, in their neighborhoods, and in their homes. We will honor with action the lives that were lost and we’ll never stop fighting until a safer future is realized.”