GIFFORDS remembers the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting

WASHINGTON — Ahead of June 12, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of national gun violence prevention group GIFFORDS, shared the following statement in honor of the victims and survivors of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which killed 49 and injured 53 others.

“Nine years ago, our nation witnessed a terrifying, hate-fueled attack carried out against Orlando’s LGBTQ+ and Latino communities. Today, my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and survivors,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “When celebrating Pride this month, no one should have to be checking for the exits and worrying about armed hate. Lawmakers have an essential duty to do all they can to protect our nation, yet they continue to miss the mark. We must do better, and we must do it now.”

“The Pulse nightclub shooting was a devastating act of hate, and our leaders should be working tirelessly to ensure something so tragic can never happen again,” said Samantha Barrios, GIFFORDS Florida State Director. “Instead, Florida’s most extreme lawmakers have spent months pushing to roll back lifesaving gun safety laws, and leaders across the nation continue to spread lies and hate speech about LGBTQ+ and Latino people. Each and every one of us deserve to live safely, and so each and every one of us must stand up and say enough.”

GIFFORDS Florida, an initiative dedicated to elevating gun safety lawmakers and passing commonsense gun laws in the state, continues to work with many survivors who chose to advocate for gun safety after the shooting.