Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Congressman Mike Thompson Rally for Universal Background Checks
California stop of the ‘Road to Universal Background Checks Tour’ featured gun safety champion Congressman Mike Thompson as key leader in national movement
September 9, 2020 — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention group Giffords, and Congressman Mike Thompson joined Giffords Managing Director Robin Lloyd and student activist Brianna Heiges 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 voters across the country about the importance of electing a Senate majority ready to take action on universal background checks.
“Congressman Mike Thompson is leading the fight to end gun violence,” said Giffords Managing Director Robin Lloyd. “From his first days as the chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to his leadership on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the congressman is a tireless champion for safer communities everywhere. His experiences in Congress, his service as a veteran, and his enjoyment being a sportsman have prepared him to fight for a better country on behalf of his constituents and all Americans. We are proud to stand with him in the fight to finally pass universal background checks into law by electing a gun safety majority.”
Speaking to thousands of viewers nationwide, the panel 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.
“Proud to join my good friend, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, today to rally for background checks as we approach the November election,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. “Together, we have made incredible progress in the last two years, passing the most substantial gun violence prevention legislation in a decade, my Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Our work continues as we fight to flip the Senate and win back the White House so we can pass this bill through the upper chamber, get it signed into law, and protect our communities from gun violence.”
Congressman Mike Thompson has proven himself as a leading gun safety champion in the House. He has been the chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force since the task force’s inception following the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, and his leadership has extended through the passage of his bill, H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Prior to his election to congress, he served his country in the Army, leading a platoon with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and receiving a Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in Vietnam, and in the California State Senate.
“Young people across the country are rising up to demand an end to gun violence,” said student activist Brianna Heiges. “When our politicians don’t listen to our communities, it’s time to vote them out. I’m proud to stand with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Congressman Mike Thompson in support of courageous leaders in Washington who will take action.”
Voters across the country agree that our leaders in Washington must take action on background checks. Public Policy Polling released by Giffords shows that 8 in 10 voters support universal background checks. Over 60% of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports background checks, while only 10% would be more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes background checks.