GIFFORDS statement on mass shooting in Midland, Texas

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention group led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement on a mass shooting in Midland, Texas, that took place on June 12. It is being reported that one person was killed and multiple others were injured. The incident is still developing.

“We are devastated and outraged for the victim and survivors of today’s mass shooting in Midland, as we await more details,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. “Mass shootings continue to take lives at an appalling rate, even though we know that strong gun laws save lives. More than 4,400 people die from gun violence on average each year in the state. Texans are exhausted by this crisis, and ready to live without the constant fear that a dangerous person with a gun could change their life forever at any moment.”

Texas has an F grade on the GIFFORDS Annual Gun Law Scorecard. The state is missing key gun violence prevention laws, including universal background checks, red flag laws, waiting periods, and more. On average, someone dies by gun violence every two hours in Texas.