Giffords PAC Endorses Charlie Crist for Governor

Washington DC — Today, Giffords PAC, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announced its endorsement of Charlie Crist for governor and Karla Hernández for lieutenant governor of Florida.

“Charlie Crist has been a longtime advocate for commonsense gun safety measures. Throughout his career in public service, he has always put Floridians’ safety first. In Congress, he supported every major piece of gun safety legislation, including legislation to close gun law loopholes and the historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. His courage to act is what Floridians need at this moment. His running mate, Karla Hernández, is also a steadfast champion for gun safety and has been a leader in the fight to end gun violence. Together, I know they will be able to help secure a safer future for Florida families. We are proud to endorse them today.”

“From Parkland to Pulse, Floridians are acutely aware of the pain of gun violence and the hole it leaves in our families and communities,” said Charlie Crist. “Under Governor DeSantis, Florida would be an open carry state, making our families and communities less safe — it’s shameful. As governor, I vow to work to ban assault weapons, institute background checks that actually check backgrounds, and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists because no other Florida family should feel the loss of a loved one to gun violence. I’m so grateful for Giffords’ support as we work to defeat DeSantis and keep our families, schools, and communities safe.”

“As a teacher and parent, I know first hand the fear so many children and families live with each and every day as a result of the gun violence epidemic. And even now, years after the Parkland shooting that left too many innocent kids and teachers dead, politicians in Tallahassee have refused to enact the change we deserve to live in violence free communities. Our families need a champion in the governor’s office. The Crist-Hernández ticket is on the side of the people and we will not relent in this fight.”

Congressman Crist has continued to take immediate action against the gun violence epidemic and make Florida’s families safer. As governor, Congressman Crist will continue to work to save lives by implementing popular gun safety solutions such as an assault weapons ban and universal background checks which would keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. He plans to lead a crackdown on illegal gun trafficking and ghost guns, as well as to expand mental health services for survivors of gun violence. These proposals and more are part of his “Safer Florida for All” plan, which will curb the threat of gun violence and keep Florida’s schools and communities safe.

A first-generation American, Karla Hernández has spent her career in service of Florida’s kids and communities. As a mother and school teacher, she has been a steadfast champion for gun safety so that Floridians can live their lives free of the fear of senseless gun violence. Following the Pulse and Parkland shootings, Hernández joined parents, teachers, and students to rally for commonsense gun reform across the Sunshine State. In the wake of the tragic shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, she once again called for action from Florida’s leaders that would show that children’s lives are more valuable than guns. Together, they will enact policies that will keep families safe, including banning the sale of assault weapons, fighting for background checks, and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

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