GIFFORDS Condemns GOP Candidate Brandon Herrera for Mocking Veteran Suicide

Washington DC — Today, GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, condemned Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera for mocking veteran suicide. According to the San Antonio Current, Herrera joked, “If it makes everyone in the room feel better, I often think about putting a gun in my mouth. So, I’m basically an honorary veteran.” 

According to the latest National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report from the Veterans Administration, more than 17 veterans died by suicide each day in 2021.

“As a veteran who has fought for my country in two wars overseas, I know far too many brave servicemen who fought for ours and others’ freedom only to succumb to the unseen mental wounds when they got home. Unlike keyboard warriors like Brandon Herrera, these men and women made immeasurable sacrifices to defend our country and are entitled to our most profound measure of respect,” said Steven Kling, former US Army captain and GIFFORDS Gun Owners for Safety Senior Ambassador. “Mr. Herrera may choose to be a jerk to impress his toxic internet friends, but the Texans I know honor those who served. Our men and women in uniform deserve better from all of us, but especially from someone who wants to serve in Congress. This degenerate will never understand that kind of sacrifice and I certainly hope will never hold that office.”

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