Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Former Governor John Hickenlooper Rally for Universal Background Checks
Colorado stop of the ‘Road to Universal Background Checks Tour’ featured gun safety champion Gov. Hickenlooper as key member of the national movement to flip the Senate
Washington, DC — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention group Giffords, and former Governor John Hickenlooper joined Giffords Managing Director Robin Lloyd and advocate Sandy Phillips in a virtual rally to elect a gun safety Senate. As part of the larger Road to Universal Background Checks Tour, the group spoke with Colorado voters about the importance of electing a new Senate majority ready to take action on universal background checks.
“Governor John Hickenlooper has proven his dedication to the gun safety movement, and we need him in the United States Senate,” said Giffords Managing Director Robin Lloyd. “As the governor of Colorado, he responded to the shooting in Aurora by taking action and signing three gun safety bills into law in less than a year. While his opponent Cory Gardner has taken millions in NRA campaign contributions and voted against legislation that would make our country safer, Gov. Hickenlooper is ready to stand up for the people of Colorado.”
Speaking to thousands of viewers in Colorado and nationwide, the panel of gun safety champions stressed the importance of protecting the gun safety majority in the House and electing a gun safety majority to the Senate so that universal background checks can finally become law.
“As Colorado’s governor, I saw up close the horrific damage gun violence inflicts on our communities,” said Gov. Hickenlooper. “Colorado came together to heal, and Gabby and I worked together to take on the NRA and pass gun safety legislation here. All Americans deserve to live without fear of gun violence in our schools, theaters, places of worship, and communities. The ‘Road to Universal Background Checks’ runs through Colorado, and after this November I intend to bring a fierce urgency to the United States Senate to finally pass common sense gun safety measures like we did here.”
Former Governor John Hickenlooper has shown his commitment to gun safety throughout his career in public service. After careers in geology and business, he was a proud member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns during his tenure as the mayor of Denver. Following the Aurora shooting in 2012, Gov. Hickenlooper took decisive action by signing legislation that placed limits on ammunition magazines and required universal background checks for gun purchases in the state. Gov. Hickenlooper also has fought for extreme risk protection orders that would allow a judge to temporarily disarm people deemed to be a risk to themselves or to others. His experience will be crucial in the fight to extend the protections he achieved in Colorado to every American when he becomes a U.S. Senator.
“No family should ever have to feel the pain of losing a child.” said Sandy Phillips. “My daughter Jessi was bright, kind, and determined, and she is my inspiration every day in the fight to end gun violence. After the gunman murdered Jessi and eleven others in the Aurora shooting, Governor Hickenlooper brought empathy and leadership to the crisis. He stepped up and passed meaningful reform that protects Coloradans, and we need him to do the same as our senator in Washington.”
Giffords also released new Public Policy Polling in conjunction with the announcement of the tour that shows 75% of Colorado voters support universal background checks. The poll shows that 56% of voters were more likely to support a senate candidate who supported universal background checks. Only 10% of those polled said they would be more likely to vote for the senate candidate who opposed background checks.