GUN SAFETY VICTORY: Giffords Celebrates Election of Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the Senate
Wins Secure Gun Safety Majority in Senate, Bringing a New Mandate for Lifesaving Laws
Washington, DC — Giffords PAC, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, celebrates the historic election of gun safety champions Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the United States Senate. With their victory, Warnock and Ossoff defeated NRA-backed incumbents and secured a gun safety Senate that will act to save lives.
“The work now begins to take bold action to protect our communities,” said Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “Some said that change was impossible—that the politics were too difficult, that the gun lobby was too strong. But I knew courage would triumph over fear and special interests. I stand with Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the fight to end gun violence.”
Giffords PAC was proud to partner with Everytown and Brady PAC to host “The Fight for Georgia,” a grassroots rally for Warnock and Ossoff that highlighted the importance of winning the seats and making gun safety progress. Former Congresswoman Giffords opened the event by calling for Georgians to come together and elect leaders with the courage to act. They did just that, and communities across the country will be safer because of their votes.
“After failed Republican leadership through a global pandemic, nationwide unrest, and increasing gun violence, Georgia voters elected leaders they trust to guide us through a fraught time,” said Giffords Executive Director Peter Ambler. “We are proud to stand with Senators-elect Warnock and Ossoff in the fight to finally pass universal background checks into law. With their victories and Democratic control of the Senate, President Biden will be able to appoint and confirm strong leaders to the judiciary and key administration positions.”
The Georgia runoffs were the culmination of Giffords’ efforts to elect gun safety champions up and down the ballot in 2020. With a total investment of over $7.5 million in the overall political program, Giffords PAC also supported other key Senate candidates like John Hickenlooper who ran and won on gun safety.
Race by race, victory by victory, year after year, Giffords has fought for change and proved that gun safety is a winning issue. In 2018, the organization helped flip the House of Representatives, unseating NRA-backed incumbents with a new promise of courage and safety. In 2019, the newly elected House delivered on their promise to take action on gun safety, passing HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.
With a gun safety President and Democratic control of both chambers in 2021, our leaders will finally take action and pass universal background checks into law.
Giffords congratulates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff on their victories and looks forward to working with them in the fight to end gun violence.