Gabby Giffords sends letter to Kash Patel, calling on him to put public safety, law enforcement above partisanship

WASHINGTON — Today, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the national gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, sent a letter to FBI Director and Acting ATF Director Kash Patel calling on him to put American lives ahead of partisanship, and requesting a meeting. 

“As the Senate-confirmed leader of the agency that oversees all background checks ahead of firearms purchases (FBI), and now the acting leader of the agency that investigates firearms crimes (ATF), the amount and severity of gun crime in America is largely in your hands. It is a heavy burden. Americans will look to you to keep their streets, schools, and neighborhoods safe. By accepting both roles, you accept that responsibility. Despite our policy disagreements, I hope you succeed. Please know that I will do everything in my power to help you save lives,” wrote Congresswoman Giffords. 

“After President Trump’s first administration, your rhetoric appealed to the base of one political party. My advice to you: leave that behind. The time for playing to a faction of our country is over. Countless lives depend on your choice to rise above Washington’s partisan noise and competently lead tens of thousands of public servants, whose charge is fighting crime,” Giffords continued. 

Read the full letter here.