Giffords PAC Endorses Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan for Reelection
Washington DC — Today, Giffords PAC, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announced its endorsement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for reelection.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
“Minnesotans deserve leaders who will always stand up for their safety, like Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. In office, they have demonstrated their commitment to ending gun violence every day and made historic strides in the fight to keep Minnesota communities safe from harm. During his tenure, Governor Walz signed numerous important public safety reforms to tackle crime and address gun violence. A gun owner himself, he has balanced his support of the Second Amendment with the understanding that rights come with responsibilities. I know that if they’re elected for another term, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan will continue to do the hard, necessary work of ensuring that lifesaving gun safety laws already on the books are properly implemented and enforced from Minneapolis to Duluth. I am proud to endorse Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for reelection.”
Governor Tim Walz:
“For too long, we have allowed senseless gun violence tragedies to go unanswered. We know that commonsense gun reforms can save lives and we are overdue for change in Minnesota. Weapons of war have no place in our schools nor in the hands of criminals. I am honored to have the support of a gun sense hero like Gabby Giffords as we push for change.”
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan:
“I am honored to receive Giffords PAC’s endorsement. From my work with the Children’s Defense Fund, to the state house, to being lieutenant governor, reducing gun violence in Minnesota has long been a priority of mine. I am proud to continue the fight alongside former Representative Gabby Giffords to create a future free from gun violence. I am honored to work alongside Governor Walz and the Giffords organization to create a world where all Minnesotans and their families feel valued, safe, and secure.”
A responsible gun owner himself, Governor Walz knows that weapons of war have no place in our communities and only contribute to the risk of gun violence. After his election to the US House of Representatives in 2006, Governor Walz voted to expand background checks, to prevent people on the No Fly list from being able to purchase firearms, and to fund CDC research into gun violence. He strongly believes Minnesotans need to feel safe in their communities and schools, and he’s working every day to ensure that they do. Under his watch, Minnesota is developing and funding comprehensive community safety and gun violence reduction programs, tackling the root causes of violence to ensure the safety of all Minnesotans. He also continues to push for the passage of reforms like universal background check and extreme risk protection order laws. This summer, after the tragic shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Governor Walz allocated millions of dollars in federal funds to gun violence prevention efforts, such as safe storage education and other public safety initiatives—programs that will save Minnesotan lives for years to come.
Lt. Governor Flanagan has spent her life creating a safer Minnesota for working families, communities of color, and Indigenous communities. With the Children’s Defense Fund, Lt. Governor Flanagan worked on children-centered initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the right to live, learn, and grow up free from violence and fear. As a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Lt. Governor Flanagan urged her colleagues to pass commonsense legislation such as universal background checks. With her election to lieutenant governor, she became the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country. In this position, Lt. Governor Flanagan has used the tools at her disposal to combat the rise in gun crimes in Minnesota. When Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan drafted the state budget, they made sure to incorporate gun safety measures, including an investment in new violence prevention programs that will save lives. Together, they have started a statewide gun safety initiative to promote responsible gun ownership and to help prevent gun related injuries and thefts. As part of the program, the Department of Public Safety is providing free gun locks at community events such as the Minnesota State Fair.
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