Former Congresswoman Giffords Honors Victims of Robb Elementary School Shooting

Washington DC — Today, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, released a statement marking one year since the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen children and two adults were killed at the school on May 24, 2022. 

Over the past year, GIFFORDS Law Center has been on the ground in Uvalde, conducting interviews with community members. They released The Uvalde Report: A Path Forward for a Community—and Nation—Struggling to Heal  on their findings earlier this week.  

“One year ago this morning, 19 children and two teachers left for Robb Elementary and never came home – never to be reunited with their families. These fourth grade students had the rest of their lives ahead of them. Because of the actions of one troubled, violent individual with easy access to a gun—and the inaction of so many politicians—these children will never grow up. Their futures were taken from them, and their families and the residents of Uvalde will grapple with that loss and trauma for the rest of their lives. 

“The unspeakable tragedy injected new urgency into our still-growing movement to reduce gun violence. A month after the Uvalde shooting, our country took action to honor the 21 lives taken by passing the first federal gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. This legislation won’t bring back these children, or any of the 45,000 Americans who die from gun violence each year. It won’t stop every shooting. Gun violence is a multifaceted, pervasive epidemic, and our work is far from done. But with our continued efforts, children born today won’t fear for their lives 10 years from now. That’s a future I will never stop believing in and fighting for.”  

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

Contact