Gabby Giffords remembers mass shooting at Buffalo supermarket four years later

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement recognizing four years since 10 people were killed and three were injured in a racist mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York.  

“Four years ago, a racist attack on a Buffalo community killed ten people, injured three more, and changed countless lives forever. Today, my heart is with the families of the victims, and with those who were injured,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “Our nation must refuse to accept gun violence and white supremacy as normal. Our leaders have a responsibility to stand up and pass lifesaving commonsense gun laws. I promise to always fight for a safer America, so that no community ever has to experience this pain and grief.”

Since the shooting, New York has passed a new minimum age law, as well as a law strengthening the state’s large capacity magazine ban, and a law that requires a license for possession of any semiautomatic rifle. Had these laws been in place at the time of the shooting, lives could have been saved. 

In February, GIFFORDS Law Center announced a settlement in the lawsuit filed with the law office of John V. Elmore P.C. on behalf of a Buffalo shooting survivor and the families of three victims. The settlement was with two of the lawsuit’s defendants, including a magazine “lock” manufacturer. This settlement is only part of the families and survivors healing, the physical and emotional injuries of this shooting cannot be erased.