Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Dr. Barbara Bollier Rally for Universal Background Checks in the Senate

Kansas stop of the ‘Road to Universal Background Checks Tour’ highlighted the importance of flipping control of the Senate by electing Dr. Barbara Bollier

July 30, 2020 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention group Giffords, and US Senate candidate in Kansas Dr. Bollier joined together this evening issuing a call to elect gun safety champions to the US Senate for the Kansas stop of the Road to Universal Background Checks Tour. Hosted by Robyn Thomas of Giffords and featuring Judy Sherry, President of Grandparents Against Gun Violence, the group spoke directly to Kansas voters on the importance of a new Senate majority that will take action to pass lifesaving universal background checks.

“Kansans want stronger gun laws, and Dr. Bollier is ready to fight for them in the Senate,” Robyn Thomas of Giffords said. “As a medical professional, Dr. Bollier understands America’s gun violence epidemic needs to end and that saving lives starts with passing universal background checks. We are excited to support Dr. Bollier in her run for Senate. Her voice will be a critical part of the change needed to end the gun lobby’s influence in Washington DC and make gun safety history.”

Speaking to thousands of viewers in Kansas and nationwide, the panel of gun safety champions stressed the importance of electing a gun safety majority to the Senate—while protecting the gun safety majority in the House—so that universal background checks can finally become law.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis in our country,” Dr. Bollier said. “As a doctor, I have personally seen the effect it can have on families. No one should go through that pain. I am proud to be working with Giffords to protect Kansas families by finding bipartisan solutions to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”

A recently released Public Policy Polling of Kansas voters finds that 7 in 10 Kansas voters support universal background checks. Similarly, a candidate’s support for universal background checks laws made it 58% more likely for someone to vote for the candidate. Only 13% of those polled said a candidate’s support of universal background checks would make them less likely to vote for the candidate.

“Now is the time to finally pass universal background checks,” Judy Sherry, President of Grandparents Against Gun Violence said. “We take care of each other in Kansas, and passing meaningful gun safety reform is an extension of our values. I am proud to support Dr. Bollier and the effort to protect all of our children and grandchildren from gun violence.”

The Kansas event is part of the greater Giffords effort to elect gun safety candidates at all levels of leadership, including making 2020 the year for a #GunSafetyPresident. Earlier this year, former Congresswoman Giffords announced her endorsement and the backing of Giffords PAC for Joe Biden for president of the United States of America. Vice President Biden shared his views on gun violence prevention at the 2020 Gun Safety Forum, hosted by Giffords and March for Our Lives, on October 2, 2019 in Las Vegas. He also sat down with the team at Giffords to discuss how he would approach gun safety reform as president.