Gabby Giffords honors those killed in Aurora theater shooting 14 years ago

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement recognizing 14 years since a mass shooting took place at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed and 70 were injured during the shooting, which took place during a midnight movie screening. 

“My heart aches for each of the victims killed in this terrible tragedy. Their loss has impacted their families and communities forever, and I know that their memories will never fade,” said Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “This appalling shooting should never have happened. But in the years since, Colorado lawmakers have stepped up and passed many life saving gun laws. I’m especially proud of my friends Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, whose daughter Jessi Redfield Ghawi was killed, as well as Senator Tom Sullivan, whose son Alex lost his life that night. They have worked to turn their pain into action, and Colorado is a safer state because of it.”

GIFFORDS worked with the Phillip’s family and Colorado lawmakers to pass Jessi’s Law in 2023. The legislation, also called the The Jessi Redfield Ghawi Act for Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice and Firearms Industry Accountability, repealed gun industry immunity laws. The now-defunct laws prevented shooting survivors and their families from seeking justice in civil court, and even made families financially responsible for the gun industry’s legal costs when families chose to seek legal accountability.