Gabby Giffords remembers lives lost at Uvalde school shooting three years ago

WASHINGTON — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the national gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, released the following statement remembering the 21 lives lost and 17 more who were injured during the 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Following the shooting, GIFFORDS experts met with Uvalde families to develop the Uvalde Report, which identifies resources that would assist the community as it heals, as well as specific policy reforms to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. The Uvalde shooting catalyzed the first federal progress to save lives from gun violence in a generation – the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“Three years ago today, 21 people senselessly lost their lives to gun violence and a community was torn apart. My heart is with the survivors and the families who lost loved ones,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “The tragedy at Uvalde rocked our nation, and we once more promised: Never again. This unspeakable violence helped galvanize lawmakers into passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which strengthened gun laws across the country and devoted hundreds of millions of dollars to the safety of our children. This landmark step has undoubtedly already saved lives, but I won’t stop working until gun violence is no longer a threat to so many. We stand with the Uvalde community as they continue to heal and fight for change.”  

In April, the Trump administration announced that it would cease distribution of $1 billion in school mental health funds allocated by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Congresswoman Giffords sent an urgent letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, calling on her to meet with the parents of kids killed in school shootings and restore the funding.