ICYMI: GIFFORDS Recognized for 10 Years of Working to End Gun Violence

Washington DC — Last week, GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was recognized by Senator Chris Murphy for the organization’s tremendous impact on the gun violence movement. Earlier in the week, former Congresswoman Giffords joined members of Congress at the US Capitol to discuss how far the gun safety movement has come in the last decade.

From the Congressional Record:
“Madam President, I rise today to honor the 10-year anniversary of an organization that has been instrumental in our efforts to protect kids and families from gun violence: Giffords, the organization founded by former Congresswoman and gun violence victim, Gabby Giffords. This anniversary is particularly important to me because Gabby Giffords and I were in the same House of Representatives freshman class in 2007. Our offices were right next to each other, and we became fast friends, dreaming up the idea for supermarket office hours called ‘Congress on Your Corner.’’

Four years later, on January 8, 2011, Gabby was shot in the head at one of those events. Eighteen others were also shot, and six died. She almost lost her life that day and began a very long road to recovery. But my friend Gabby is a fighter, and she doesn’t back down. Two years after she was shot and just 25 days after 20 children and six educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, she launched an organization dedicated to the fight to end gun violence. Today, that organization is known as Giffords.

Giffords and the gun violence prevention movement spent the next decade growing stronger, more determined, and more convinced that the righteousness of our cause would eventually prevail. Gabby and her organization channeled the outrage and frustration of millions Americans into action. Across the country, they helped to pass 525 lifesaving laws that make sure guns only end up in the hands of responsible, law-abiding Americans. They took on the gun lobby in State legislatures and the courts. They raised awareness, recruited volunteers, and registered new voters. On May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School, an all too familiar tragedy struck, 19 children and 2 teachers shot and killed in their classroom. A weary American public once again called on Congress to act, and for the first time in 30 years, it did. One month later, President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation to tighten our gun laws, invest in mental health services, and make our schools and communities safer.

That historic piece of legislation would not have been possible without Gabby Giffords. In the face of unimaginable adversity, Gabby spent a decade helping to build a gun violence prevention movement more powerful than the gun lobby. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is just the beginning, and we will keep fighting to end the scourge of gun violence in this country together. In reflection of Giffords’ 10-year anniversary, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their tireless advocacy to end gun violence and honoring my personal hero, Gabby Giffords.” 

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