HOUSE CHAMPIONS: Giffords Endorses 5 House Members Running to Continue Gun Safety Progress

These members proved their courage and are dedicated to fighting for commonsense gun safety solutions

July 31, 2020 — Giffords PAC, the political arm of the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, endorsed five candidates for the US House of Representatives in their bids for reelection. All of these have supported stronger gun laws by passing landmark legislation like H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Their reelection to the House of Representatives will continue the fight for gun safety reform.

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

“These champions made history in passing gun safety legislation that would protect all Americans. This leadership takes courage and persistence, and each one of these Members has shown they value the lives of their constituents over the interests of the gun lobby. We must send these leaders back to Congress so together, they can continue their mission to save lives and shape a safer future for all Americans.”

Today’s Giffords Endorsements include:

Karen Bass (CA-37): Congresswoman Karen Bass has represented California’s 37th District since 2011. Congresswoman Bass’s political career began in the California State Assembly, where she served for five years. In 2008, she became the first-ever African American woman in the country to serve as speaker of a state legislature. Prior to entering public service, Congresswoman Bass founded Community Coalition, an organization that empowers local neighborhoods to address poverty and crime, in response to the gang violence crisis in Los Angeles. Congresswoman Bass’s experience in social justice and community-focused public policymaking, as well as her position as current chair of the largest-ever Congressional Black Caucus, has been central to her gun violence prevention work. Congresswoman Bass co-sponsored measures to ban large-capacity magazines and voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. She also introduced the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which took critical steps to disarm domestic abusers and overwhelmingly passed the House in April 2019. In response to public outcry for police reform, she introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Congresswoman Bass remains dedicated to preventing senseless gun violence and ensuring the safety of her constituents.
Anthony Brown (MD-04): Congressman Anthony Brown proudly represents Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, Brown served as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Upon finishing a tour of active duty in Germany, he entered Harvard Law School. Brown was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998 and represented Prince George’s County for eight years. Continuing his public service, he became Maryland’s lieutenant governor in 2007. As a veteran, Congressman Brown understands the need for gun violence prevention. He was part of the successful effort to pass commonsense gun safety measures in the House, voting for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which requires background checks on all firearm purchases and transfers. Congressman Brown also voted to close loopholes that allow convicted domestic abusers and stalkers to access guns, and to invest in research to address gun violence as a public health crisis. Additionally, Congressman Brown sponsored bipartisan legislation to raise the age to purchase assault weapons to 21 nationwide. Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District can trust Anthony Brown to fight for gun safety legislation.
Deb Haaland (NM-01): Congresswoman Deb Haaland has represented New Mexico’s First Congressional District since 2019. Her long history of advocacy and public service includes volunteering on countless local and state campaigns, mobilizing the Native American community to vote, serving as the Native American Caucus Chair for the Democratic Party of New Mexico, and running for lieutenant governor in 2014. Additionally, Haaland was elected to the Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors to oversee business operations of a tribal gaming enterprise. As someone raised in a military family, Congresswoman Haaland understands the importance of preserving our Second Amendment rights while enacting commonsense gun safety measures. Congresswoman Haaland voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act. She also supports enacting extreme risk laws, safe storage requirements, and closing domestic violence loopholes. Congresswoman Haaland is a fearless advocate for gun safety reform and will continue to prioritize the safety of her constituents in the US House of Representatives.
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07): Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has represented Washington’s Seventh Congressional District since 2017. At the age of 16, Jayapal moved to the United States to attend Georgetown University, where she received her bachelor’s degree prior to earning her MBA from Northwestern. Before being elected to public office, she spent 20 years as an advocate for women’s, immigrant, civil, and human rights. Jayapal served for two years in the Washington State Senate. Congresswoman Jayapal is an advocate for commonsense gun reform, and understands gun violence as a public health crisis. She voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and legislation that would give the FBI more time to complete background checks. In her role on the House Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Jayapal supported legislation to enact extreme risk laws, ban large-capacity magazines, and make misdemeanor hate crimes a prohibitor for gun possession. Pramila Jayapal has proven that she’s a fearless advocate who is willing to fight for gun safety legislation.
Adam Schiff (CA-28): Congressman Adam Schiff has represented California’s 28th Congressional District since 2001. Upon graduating from Stanford University and Harvard Law School, Schiff worked as an Assistant US Attorney. Representing the same areas he currently serves, Schiff got his start in public office as a California state senator. During his tenure, Congressman Schiff has proven to be a strong gun safety advocate. He voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and legislation to close the boyfriend and stalker loopholes. Congressman Schiff also sponsored legislation to repeal the gun industry’s unprecedented legal immunity. California’s 28th Congressional District can trust Adam Schiff to keep their communities safe by advocating for commonsense gun safety measures.